Infrastructure bill could be done 'well before' Build Back Better, confirms Rep. Jayapal
Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) told CNN's John Berman that her caucus is ready to pass both parts of President Biden's sweeping economic agenda — the Senate-passed bipartisan infrastructure framework, as well as the Build Back Better act — the former of which she believes will likely be done "well before" the latter.
While appearing on New Day Tuesday morning, one day after a noncommittal presser from Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Jayapal said her progressive caucus was "finally at the place we have been asking for — demanding over the last several months — which is two bills moving together in the House and we'll get them both done." Earlier in the interview, the leader said there will be votes "this week" on both pieces of Biden's agenda, meaning the infrastructure bill would presumably soon move to the president's desk while the $1.75 trillion spending package heads to the Senate. The leader had shared similar sentiments on Monday.
When Berman then replied "so this does mean though that infrastructure could be done — will be done — well before Build Back Better?", Jayapal quickly answered "yes."
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.
She continued: "My hope and belief in talking to the Senate majority leader, talking to other senators, talking to the president is that the Senate will move this forward very quickly. Hopefully we can get it done before Thanksgiving, and we will have this transformative piece of legislation" that invests in a multitude of social infrastructure programs.
The concession from the progressive caucus is notable, considering the group had long refused to take up the infrastructure bill without confirmation the social package would pass in the Senate. Now, however, Jayapal said she trusts Biden to deliver 51 votes.
Watch below:
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
Magazine printables - April 26, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - April 26, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
'A speaker courageous enough to stand up to the extremists in his own party'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
How could the Supreme Court's Fischer v. US case impact the other Jan 6. trials including Trump's?
Today's Big Question A former Pennsylvania cop might hold the key to a major upheaval in how the courts treat the Capitol riot — and its alleged instigator
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How will Israel respond to Iran's direct attack?
Speed Read Iran’s weekend attack on Israel could escalate into a wider Middle East war
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Making sense of FISA's strange bedfellows in Congress
The Explainer How a controversial intelligence gathering law is bringing progressive Democrats and privacy hawk Republicans together
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
US, Israel brace for Iran retaliatory strikes
Speed Read An Iranian attack on Israel is believed to be imminent
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Congress honors real-life Rosie the Riveters
Speed Read These American women reshaped the work force during World War II
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published