Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) on Sunday told ABC News' George Stephanopoulos that the Senate's $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package is "about 90 percent of the way there," pointing to mass transit as the issue that's holding up the negotiations. "And we're not getting much response from the Democrats" on the matter, Portman said.
The Hill reported earlier in the day that a Democratic source close to the talks suggested transit was just one of a few outstanding issues, along with broadband, using unspent COVID-19 relief money, water funding, and highways and bridges. But Portman and Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) had previously indicated broadband was mostly settled aside from a few disagreements over language. And on Sunday, Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) told Fox News that the deal would include around $70 billion in unspent COVID-19 funds to help pay for the deal, so it's possible the sides have indeed chipped away at those sticking points. Warner, for his part, remains confident the sides will have a deal by Monday.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
What Donald Trump owes the Christian RightThe Explainer Conservative Christians played an important role in Trump’s re-election, and he has promised them great political influence
-
Russia's shadow war in EuropeTalking Point Steering clear of open conflict, Moscow is slowly ratcheting up the pressure on Nato rivals to see what it can get away with.
-
Sudoku medium: December 8, 2024The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
-
South Korean president faces rising impeachment oddsspeed read Opposition lawmakers said they would vote to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol following his recent imposition of martial law
-
France's Macron vows to finish out termSpeed Read French President Emmanuel Macron rejected calls to step down and said he will name a new government in the coming days
-
Could Trump use impoundment to skate around Congress?Today's Big Question The incoming president could refuse to spend money allocated by the legislative branch
-
Trump DEA nominee bows out as Hegseth pick stallsSpeed Read Florida Sheriff Chad Chronister withdrew as Trump's pick to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration
-
French government poised to fall amid budget fightSpeed Read Far-right and leftist opposition parties both filed motions of no confidence against Prime Minister Michel Barnier
-
Biden arrives in Angola for historic Africa visitSpeed Read The president intends to strengthen U.S. ties with Africa and counter China's dominance in the region
-
Biden pardons son HunterSpeed Read Joe Biden has spared his son Hunter a possible prison sentence for felony gun and tax convictions
-
Trump says he wants loyalist Kash Patel to lead FBISpeed Read The former federal prosecutor served in senior national security roles in Trump's first administration
