Congressional Democrats are still in the midst of negotiations over the final bill that would tackle social infrastructure. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has revealed that Congress is close to reaching an agreement regarding the proposal.
Speaking at CNN’s “State of the Union” over the weekend, Pelosi said that Congress is getting closer to a deal over the initial $3.5 trillion social infrastructure bill that includes climate and care provisions. This comes as the House is set to vote on both bills that go hand in hand and make up the bulk of US President Joe Biden’s domestic agenda. The social spending bill would be funded by increasing taxes on corporations and on the wealthiest, those making more than $400,000 a year.
“We have 90 percent of the bill agreed to and written, we just have some of the last decisions to be made,” said the House Speaker. Pelosi added that Congress is “pretty much there” when pressed by host Jake Tapper if Democrats will be able to have a deal by the time Biden travels to Europe for the G20 Summit and the climate conference. “It’s just the language of it,” said Pelosi, regarding the deal.
Top Democrats in Congress have looked to bring together all factions of the Democratic Party to support the bill that they hope would be passed through the Senate through the budget reconciliation process. This would allow them to pass the bill without the support of Republicans, especially in an evenly divided Senate. The party has already trimmed down the initial $3.5 trillion plan to $2 trillion in order to get the support of Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema.
Pelosi was also recently asked about the upcoming 2022 midterm elections which have proven to be consequential as it would determine which party would be in control of the majority in both the House and Senate. Tapper also pressed Pelosi if she plans to run again for another term as House Speaker should Democrats maintain the majority in the House.
Pelosi made history as the first woman to be elected as House Speaker back in 2007. “You think I’m going to make an announcement right here and now?” asked the California Democrat, who ultimately did not say whether she would consider running again for another term.