Bipartisan groups in Congress are pushing a flurry of big-ticket infrastructure plans ready for inclusion in President Biden’s second major legislative effort. But like withsigned by Biden last week that garnered no GOP votes, some bipartisan ingredients may be included in a partisan stew.
Rural broadband, a top-line item that typically draws significant Republican backing, is expected to be part of any. Bipartisan coronavirus aid packages have included funds for it, as did the American Rescue Plan that passed with only Democratic support. West Virginia Republican Sen. Shelley Moore Capito praised the measures, though she didn’t vote for Biden’s package.
Other areas ripe for cooperation on their own include research and development credits for small businesses, carbon capture technology , along with nuts-and-bolts surface transportation improvements and highway funds that require renewal every few years. But Republicans are drawing red lines on how to pay for the package, rejecting any tax increases and looking askance at other climate-change-related measures.