Infrastructure Bill Could Pass Committee in May, Carper Says
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The centerpiece of President Joe Biden鈥檚 massive transportation infrastructure package could move through a key Senate committee by the end of May, according to Sen. Tom Carper.
Carper (D-Del.), who heads the Environment and Public Works panel, said the infrastructure initiative could be signed into law as a component of Biden鈥檚 broader economic recovery plan before the end of September.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 our timetable 鈥 we鈥檙e already working on it,鈥 Carper told reporters March 10. 鈥淎nd we鈥檙e working across the aisle.鈥
The committee鈥檚 work is the first step for Biden鈥檚 soon-to-be-unveiled, longer-term economic stimulus package. The 鈥淏uild Back Better鈥 program will be the next big focus for Democrats who control the Senate and House, and will be far more expansive than the $1.9 trillion pandemic relief bill Biden plans to sign into law March 12.
Carper said there is no agreement yet on the total amount for the transportation infrastructure part of the package. He noted that his panel in 2019 approved a five-year plan worth nearly $290 billion to fund roads, highways and bridges, and the House passed a bill worth $320 billion over five years, not counting transit projects. Neither of those proposals became law. Carper said this year鈥檚 proposal could be worth roughly 30% more 鈥渁s a starting point, and we鈥檒l go from there.鈥
The Democratic chairman said he is confident that at least 10 Republicans will support the infrastructure bill, which would allow the Senate to pass it without using the budget-reconciliation process or changing the chamber鈥檚 rules.
Carper said he and West Virginia Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, the top Republican on his panel, have asked all senators to consult with governors and their state transportation departments to prepare input on their requests by March 19. The committee will then convene a series of hearings before crafting the package.
鈥 With assistance from Erik Wasson.
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