(CNN)The Senate voted Wednesday to begin debate on a roughly $1 trillion infrastructure bill after weeks of negotiating, advancing a critical part of President Joe Biden's agenda in Congress. The vote was 67-32.
Over half of the bill — $550 billion — is new federal funding. It invests $73 billion to rebuild the electric grid, $66 billion in passenger and freight rail, $65 billion to expand broadband Internet access, $55 billion for water infrastructure, $40 billion to fix bridges, $39 billion to modernize public transit like buses and $7.5 billion to create the first federal network of charging stations for electric vehicles.
The White House claimed that the bill's investments in various areas of US infrastructure were either the largest ever or in several decades.
"We are proud to announce we have reached a bipartisan agreement on our proposal to make the strongest investment in America's critical infrastructure in a generation," said 21 senators from both parties in a statement. "Our plan will create good-paying jobs in communities across our country without raising taxes."
"Reaching this agreement was no easy task — but our constituents expect us to put in the hard work and show that two parties can still work together to address the needs of the American people," they added.
Read More
The statement was signed by Republican Sens. Richard Burr of North Carolina, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rob Portman of Ohio, Mitt Romney of Utah and Mike Rounds of South Dakota. Members of the Democratic caucus included Sens. Jacky Rosen of Nevada, Chris Coons of Delaware, Dick Durbin of Illinois, Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, John Hickenlooper of Colorado, Mark Kelly of Arizona, Angus King of Maine, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, Jon Tester of Montana and Mark Warner of Virginia.
Joe Biden (still) doesn't want to get rid of the filibuster
Just a week ago, Republicans rejected a procedural vote set up by Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, who wanted to prod the negotiations. In the days since then, a clear message was delivered to negotiators from the White House: The President has no plans to walk away from the talks.
It was an important element of negotiations that publicly appeared to swerve between on the brink of a deal to on the brink of failure depending on the day -- or hour. But behind the scenes at the White House, there was a clear mandate to keep pressing forward.
For Biden, it meant multiple briefings a day from his team, regular calls and one in-person meeting with Sinema, the lead Democratic negotiator, in an effort to ensure the coalition stayed together, according to a White House official. The negotiations became the subject of daily senior staff meetings inside the West Wing.
After a back-and-forth over who was to blame for the lack of a final agreement began at the start of the week, White House officials took pains not to get involved, two other officials said.
Ron Klain, the White House chief of staff, was on the phone with Schumer multiple times a day, ramping up the tempo, as Democrats on both sides of Pennsylvania Avenue attempted to balance giving the group space to reach a deal while also keeping pressure on it to move quickly.
Steve Ricchetti, counselor to the President and one of Biden's closest advisers, established a close working relationship with Portman, the lead GOP negotiator who played a central role in narrowing an array of final differences. The two native Ohioans, both of whom viewed the other as a straight shooter, the people said, spent hours behind closed doors on Tuesday night, culminating a seemingly endless series of in-person meetings, Zoom meetings and calls that transpired between members of the bipartisan group and the White House over the last several weeks.
Schumer's challenge: Wooing moderate Democrats on $3.5 trillion Biden plan
As Ricchetti met with Portman, Commerce Sec. Gina Raimondo, who has become a key White House liaison to several senators, had dinner with Schumer and Warner, the Virginia Democrat who served as a central player in the bipartisan group. She also stayed in constant communication with Collins, the Maine Republican, over broadband provisions that remained a key sticking point, the official said.
While the bipartisan group had a breakthrough on Wednesday, some progressives on the left criticized it after Sinema announced she would not support another, much larger, $3.5 trillion bill at that massive top-line figure. The other, Democratic bill is another crucial part of Biden's legislative agenda; it would fund climate initiatives, universal prekindergarten and community colleges, expand paid family and medical leave and the child tax credit, and add dental, vision and hearing benefits to Medicare, among many other proposals.
New York Rep. Mondaire Jones said that without the larger bill he would oppose the bipartisan deal, and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also criticized Sinema's position.
"Good luck tanking your own party's investment on childcare, climate action, and infrastructure while presuming you'll survive a 3 vote House margin - especially after choosing to exclude members of color from negotiations and calling that a 'bipartisan accomplishment,'" Ocasio-Cortez tweeted.
This story and headline have been updated with additional developments Wednesday.
CNN's Jessica Dean, Manu Raju, Ryan Nobles and Kristin Wilson contributed to this report.
Paid Content
China: 3 growth themes and potential not to be overlooked Funds by J.P. Morgan
How To Fight Aging Skin (Do This Every Day) Skin Care Guru
Here's what full mouth dental implants should cost you in 2021 Dental Implants | Search Ads
Doctors Baffled: Simple Tip Relieves Years of Joint Pain and… Health Today
China’s convenience economy and the opportunities Funds by J.P. Morgan
Hong Kong - Latest news and coverage CNA
Diabetics: Here's How To Lower Blood Sugar (It's Genius!) Diabetes Freedom
Can CBD Oil Relieve Osteoarthritis And Joint Pain? Health Today
World's top level data center in Japan AT TOKYO
The perfect sandals that has taken the world by a storm. Quickdry SANDALS ？
Larry Nassar has thousands of dollars in his prison account, but he's only making minimum payments to his victims, court documents show U.S.
Ex-Fox reporter explains why Tucker Carlson is lying about vaccines CNN International - Videos
See dog's heartbreaking reaction after owner abandons him U.S.
Analysis: What Sarah Sanders gets wrong about the Covid-19 vaccine Politics
CNN International - Videos Sean Hannity makes an unexpected statement live on Fox News
Asia US Air Force to send dozens of F-22 fighter jets to the Pacific amid tensions with China
Style 'Women who have bodies like me can be celebrated:' Megan Thee Stallion unveiled as Sports…
Health Ashton and Mila say we don't need to bathe every day. Here's what experts say
Politics Subpoena fight looms over Trump as House committee plots extensive January 6 probe
Politics Analysis: Bob Dole is just plain sick of Donald Trump
Fugitive Businessman Jho Low to Forfeit Over $100 Million in Luxury Homes Sponsored: Mansion Global
国外爆红的新可携式冷气终於登陆香港 Sponsored: FlakeAir 菲利克空调
Doctors Baffled: CDB Oil Relieves Years of Joint Pain (Try Tonight) Sponsored: Health Today
Retirement Villages Near Central Might Have Seniors Packing Their Bags Sponsored: Senior Living | Sponsored Listings
Move-in this month & rent your fully serviced unit from $12000 Dash Living - Serviced Units with 30+ Perks
This new air conditioner with no installation necessary is selling out in Hong Kong cooledge.live
Central : Online Jobs in the USA May Pay More Than You Think Sponsored Listings
以下是 2021 年眼袋手术的价格。 去眼袋手术 | 搜寻广告
Why is everyone in Hong Kong snapping up this affordable 4k action camera RealAction Pro
The cost of storage units in Hong Kong might surprise you Storage units | Sponsored links
Paid Content
Former Vice President Mike Pence Buys $1.93 Million Mansion in… Mansion Global Doctors Baffled: Simple Tip Relieves Years of Joint Pain and… iamhealth.cc Doctors Baffled: Simple Tip Relieves Years of Joint Pain (Try… healthyday.online New Mattress 2021: Prices Might Be Cheaper Than You Think Mattress | Sponsored Links
More from CNN
Analysis: Mitch McConnell is doing something he deserves a lot… Analysis: New Trump revelations underscore his undimmed danger Trump supporters are a big reason why Canada and the UK are… Fox News host mocked officer with fake trophy. See his response
Recommended by