Senate vote on Infrastructure bill ongoing. FILIBUSTER BUSTED, 67 to 27!

By artappraiser on Sat, 08/07/2021 - 12:11pm |

Blunt, Capito, McConnell, Romney so far have voted to break a filibuster and advance the infrastructure bill — the clearest sign yet that this will get 60 and eventually pass the Senate. Vote ongoing
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) August 7, 2021

URL:

https://twitter.com/mkraju/status/1424041519279915010?s=20

Add new comment
8061 reads

Comments

Senate edges toward vote on Biden’s $1T infrastructure bill https://t.co/HuKPIKnWXQ
— KKTV 11 News (@KKTV11News) August 7, 2021

btw, crypto world appears to be freaking out:

RED ALERT: The Senate is about to vote on a bill that could kill crypto. Use this form to call / tweet your Senator now.
https://t.co/f25vRyOCgZ $BTC $DOGE $ETH $LTC $XLM $COMP $ADA $BAND $SNX $OXT $FIL $BAL $AAVE $ZEC $DASH $LINK $EOS $BCH $ETN $ALGO $NU $XMR $MKR $GRT
— JHolden Casting (@jholdencasting) August 7, 2021

by artappraiser on Sat, 08/07/2021 - 12:18pm

WH during Senate's 1st vote to advance infrastructure bill issues statement supporting Sinema-Portman negotiated deal:"Admin supports Senate passage of the bipartisan amdt in the nature of a substitute to HR 3684, the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act." https://t.co/FzJGrmm3ws
— Craig Caplan (@CraigCaplan) August 7, 2021

WH: "The Administration looks forward to working with the Congress on this legislation, which represents a major step in achieving the President’s Build Back Better agenda."
— Craig Caplan (@CraigCaplan) August 7, 2021

(he is CSpan's Capitol Hill producer)

by artappraiser on Sat, 08/07/2021 - 12:24pm

also

Schumer fast-tracked 2 election-related bills to Senate calendar at top of today's Saturday session for future floor debate: his bills to provide for redistricting reform and for addt'l disclosure requirements for corporations, labor organizations, Super PACs and other entities. pic.twitter.com/IYyEQ56eeB
— Craig Caplan (@CraigCaplan) August 7, 2021

by artappraiser on Sat, 08/07/2021 - 12:28pm

Senate breaks filibuster to advance $1.2 trillion infrastructure package. The vote was 67-27.
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) August 7, 2021

GOP yes votes, per @alizaslav — Roy Blunt, Shelley Moore Capito, Bill Cassidy, Susan Collins, Kevin Cramer, Mike Crapo, Chuck Grassley, John Hoeven, Mitch McConnell, Lisa Murkowski, Rob Portman, Jim Risch, Mike Rounds, Mitt Romney, Thom Tillis, Todd Young, Deb Fischer, Cornyn
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) August 7, 2021

This will push final passage until Monday night into Tuesday morning https://t.co/SMKJRAKuIU
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) August 7, 2021

by artappraiser on Sat, 08/07/2021 - 4:03pm

Sen. Raphael Warnock was the only Senate Democrat to miss today's key procedural vote to shut down debate on the bipartisan infrastructure bill -- It was due to flight delays as the senator was traveling to DC for the vote, per a Dem aide. Warnock is now back at the Capitol
— Ali Zaslav (@alizaslav) August 7, 2021

Ladies, gents and others:

This is a done deal, the country is going to deficit spend $1 trillion more, we just don't know much about what they are going to spend it on yet.

On top of already starting payments to end child poverty as we know it, and all the extensions on unemployment payments, PPP loans, subsidies, etc.

All of this WAY WAY BIGGER THAN "THE NEW DEAL" A BIG DEAL.

But online political people are mostly trolls ignoring all the stunning reality for purposely distracting delusional culture wars between The Woke and Qanon and the merits or not of various delusions about Trump....

by artappraiser on Sat, 08/07/2021 - 5:34pm

Politico predicting things like a forthcoming "vote-a-rama" and a 50-hr-budget debate!

Senate end game --

With no agreement, bipartisan bill clears final filibuster around 8 p.m, tonight final passage sometime Tuesday.

Then, 50-hour budget debate and unlimited vote-a-rama

and maybe votes on elections bills! https://t.co/FVNQU1IErG @marianne_levine
— Burgess Everett (@burgessev) August 8, 2021

by artappraiser on Sun, 08/08/2021 - 12:57pm

LIVE The $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill is poised for a final vote in the Senate

On Tuesday, the Senate is set to vote on a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure plan, which includes $550 billion in new funding for transportation, broadband and utilities. Final Senate votes are expected around 11 am ET. If the bill passes the Senate, it will go to the House of Representatives.

LIVE @Reuters

LIVE PBS @NewsHour

by artappraiser on Tue, 08/10/2021 - 11:26am

Schumer from Senate floor prior to the final vote on the bipartisan infrastructure bill: "It's been a long and winding road, but we have persisted and now we have arrived." pic.twitter.com/zQa8h4tOhZ
— Craig Caplan (@CraigCaplan) August 10, 2021

by artappraiser on Tue, 08/10/2021 - 11:28am

apparently it really IS bipartisan Infrastructure Day, and even Mitch is included, hah

"Today is infrastructure day."-Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), bipartisan infrastructure group co-leader, from Senate floor ahead of the final vote on the bipartisan infrastructure bill. pic.twitter.com/kJzgaFaP7s
— Craig Caplan (@CraigCaplan) August 10, 2021

Portman thanks McConnell on bipartisan infrastructure bill:"I want to give a particular thank you to my friend and colleague, our Republican Ldr Senator Mitch McConnell. I want to thank him for his encouragement and his support throughout this process for sticking his neck out."
— Craig Caplan (@CraigCaplan) August 10, 2021

Capito calls on Senate to vote Yes on "historic" bipartisan infrastructure bill:"If we pass this important legislation,I hope the House will move swiftly & as fmr mbr of the House,as we all are,House can move swiftly when they need to & get this bill to President's desk quickly." pic.twitter.com/6Ut9d7DI8D
— Craig Caplan (@CraigCaplan) August 10, 2021

by artappraiser on Tue, 08/10/2021 - 11:38am

SO MUCH FOR ALL THE CRAP ABOUT BIDEN'S BIPARTISANSHIP BEING STUPID FOLLY. Most incredible Federal bill in the lifetime of all boomers at least:

Universal Pre-K.
Historic green infrastructure investment.
Medicare expansion.

This reconciliation package would be the largest investment in the American people and their futures since the 1960s. This is the progressive moment to rally for its passage.https://t.co/6h5mFxxUg3
— Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) August 10, 2021

by artappraiser on Tue, 08/10/2021 - 3:44pm

Vice President Harris on funding the $1 trillion infrastructure bill passed in the Senate: "We are not going to raise middle-class taxes to pay for it. Because that is what the president promised, and that is what we must deliver." https://t.co/YXnxveCyNm pic.twitter.com/aFvD0os6xE
— CBS News (@CBSNews) August 10, 2021

by artappraiser on Tue, 08/10/2021 - 3:46pm

Biden & Rep. Spanberger:

The bipartisan nature of this bill demonstrates a focus not on winning political games or settling scores, but instead on delivering long-awaited results for the American people.

The House should move as quickly as possible to send this legislation to @POTUS’s desk. https://t.co/MA958kN8fE
— Rep. Abigail Spanberger (@RepSpanberger) August 10, 2021

by artappraiser on Tue, 08/10/2021 - 3:47pm

Here are the 19 Republicans who joined all 50 Democrats to pass the bill

Here are the 19 Republican Senators who voted YES on the bipartisan infrastructure bill:

Blunt
Burr
Capito
Cassidy
Collins
Cramer
Crapo
Fischer
Graham
Grassley
Hoeven
McConnell
Murkowski
Portman
Risch
Romney
Sullivan
Tillis
Wicker
— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) August 10, 2021

Historic.

Proud to cast my vote for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal, which:

✅Fully authorizes my Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act to help secure clean water for all,

✅Includes my ASAP Act to help bring our transit systems up to ADA standards. https://t.co/tp1YYjAjTv
— Tammy Duckworth (@TammyDuckworth) August 10, 2021

VP Harris to @haleytalbotnbc after she presided over the passage of the bipartisan infrastructure bill: "It's a good day, elections matter."
— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) August 10, 2021

The icing on the cake is how upset Trump is going to be. about this. He issued his usual threats but 19 GOP Senators ignored him.
— Kathy Vullis (@KathyVullis) August 10, 2021

And the other Republicans that voted NO will soon be touting the legislation in their home states.
— Nick (@mrblackplays) August 10, 2021

This is the biggest legislative victory since the New Deal
— Wheels Abbott (@DSpawn320) August 10, 2021

by artappraiser on Tue, 08/10/2021 - 3:58pm

The Senate passes the infrastructure bill, and turns to the Democratic budget.

By Emily Cochrane @ NYTimes.com,bAug. 10, Updated 1:15 p.m. ET

Caption:Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky,
the minority leader, before the infrastructure vote at
the Capitol on Tuesday. It passed with overwhelming
bipartisan support.Credit...Tom Brenner/NYtimes

The Senate on Tuesday passed a sweeping $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package, capping weeks of intense negotiations and debate over the largest federal investment in the nation’s aging public works system in more than a decade.

The final tally was 69 to 30, and Vice President Kamala Harris gaveled the vote closed.

The legislation, which still must pass the House, would touch nearly every facet of the American economy and fortify the nation’s response to the warming of the planet.

It would greatly increase funding to modernize the nation’s power grid and finance projects to better manage climate risks, and it would devote hundreds of billions of dollars to repair and replace aging public works projects. The legislation was largely negotiated by a group of 10 Senate Republicans and Democrats and White House officials.

Shortly after the vote, President Biden celebrated the news on Twitter.

[.....]

Ahead of the final passage, at least three Republicans who had been tangentially involved with negotiations of the bill announced their opposition. One, Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota, was absent for the vote, but he registered his concerns early Tuesday.

Yet despite criticism from former President Donald J. Trump, many Republicans, including Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the minority leader, embraced federal aid for their states.

Mr. Trump, who blew up infrastructure talks during his administration, issued another missive early Tuesday, declaring Mr. McConnell “the most overrated man in politics,” in part for allowing the bill to advance.

Democrats immediately after took up a $3.5 trillion budget blueprint that will unlock their ability to muscle through an expansive social policy package over unanimous Republican objections.

Under the fast-track budget reconciliation process, that blueprint, if passed with a simple majority, will dictate the parameters of a transformative package expected to provide funding for health care, climate change, education and child care, and to increase taxes on wealthy people and corporations.

The budget can pass, however, only after a marathon of rapid-fire votes, known as a vote-a-rama, that is expected to stretch at least through midnight Wednesday. Mr. McConnell, speaking on the Senate floor Tuesday, said hundreds of amendments had been prepared, centered on national security funding, federal funding for abortions, tax increases and immigration.

“Republicans do not currently have the votes to spare American families this nightmare,” Mr. McConnell said. “But we will debate. We will vote. We will stand up and be counted, and the people of this country will know exactly which senators fought for them.”

by artappraiser on Tue, 08/10/2021 - 4:13pm

for policy geeks, with lots of charts:

The Infrastructure Plan: What’s In and What’s Out

By Aatish Bhatia and Quoctrung Bui @ NYTmes.com/Upshot, August 10

Comparing Biden's original March proposal of $2,600 billion and the passed Bipartisan plan of $550 billion

with lots of the cut stuff shifted to the $3.5 trillion budget proposal which Democrats intend to pass later this year through a process known as budget reconciliation, which requires fewer votes.

This budget is expected to contain many of the pieces that were left out of the bipartisan infrastructure agreement — including investments in housing and education; child care and Medicare expansions; research and development; manufacturing; climate research; and clean energy. But moderate and progressive Democrats currently disagree on what will be included, and lawmakers may end up scaling back policies from those initially proposed.

Even though a quarter of Biden's original proposal, this bill alone

The Senate’s infrastructure bill is undeniably large: It calls for new federal spending of about $550 billion (as part of a $1 trillion bill that also renews existing transportation spending). The new spending is roughly equivalent to the cost of the Interstate Highway System, after adjusting for inflation.

article itself has lots of links!

by artappraiser on Tue, 08/10/2021 - 4:26pm

47-51: Senate defeats Finance Chair Wyden (D-OR) amendment "to establish a reserve fund relating to increasing the progressivity of the tax code" to the Democrats $3.5T budget resolution. pic.twitter.com/ajDFlVGk1Y
— Craig Caplan (@CraigCaplan) August 10, 2021

by artappraiser on Tue, 08/10/2021 - 9:29pm

This is absolutely bizarre. Since when do Republicans like to means-test tax credits. And what’s up with Marsha? https://t.co/P6uDR4HZyQ
— Brendan (@Lawlorbrendans) August 11, 2021

by artappraiser on Tue, 08/10/2021 - 10:19pm

NEXT!

Breaking Overnight: The Senate approved Democrats’ $3.5 trillion budget in a party-line vote. The blueprint envisions programs including tuition-free pre-k, a Civilian Climate Corps, expanded Medicare benefits and more: https://t.co/pyCOjFFoMk
— NBCWashington (@nbcwashington) August 11, 2021

by artappraiser on Wed, 08/11/2021 - 10:47am

As is usually the case with McConnell, it’s all a calculation. https://t.co/2JafHsRZX9
— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) August 11, 2021

(by Eric Lutz)

by artappraiser on Wed, 08/11/2021 - 2:55pm

the plan going forward; thread

Schumer back at US Capitol 11:42am this morning:"I hope everyone got some sleep.I got a little bit,not as much as I'd like, but good." Senate gaveled out for their Aug break just before 6am earlier today after passing bipartisan infrastructure bill & Democrats' budget resolution. https://t.co/ujaKy9qDsJ
— Craig Caplan (@CraigCaplan) August 11, 2021

by artappraiser on Wed, 08/11/2021 - 3:00pm

GOP lawmakers' trolling attempts failed spectacularly during bill negotiations: conservative editor https://t.co/TNU5HjL4Sz
— Heal the Planet (@fwtoney) August 13, 2021

by artappraiser on Fri, 08/13/2021 - 12:05pm

oh the games that one must play to keep some constituents ignorant of one's real beliefs

House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn says Dems will vote on rule that “deems” $3.5T budget passed and sets up debate for bipartisan infrastructure bill and HR4 — to advance Biden agenda without going on the record.
— Hugo Lowell (@hugolowell) August 23, 2021

by artappraiser on Mon, 08/23/2021 - 8:17pm

Chad Pergram explains this "deem and pass" maneuver in this twitter thread:

1) The House has consolidated the process to make it easier to approve the budget package to set up the $3.5 trillion social spending package.

The House will soon debate the “rule” to handle the package.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) August 23, 2021

by artappraiser on Mon, 08/23/2021 - 8:22pm

In the News

Russia plays weak hand in Palestine
Russia plays weak hand in Palestine

submitted by PeraclesPlease 8 months ago

The intra-Palestinian meeting in Moscow has precedent

Russia's hosted such meetings in the past, most recently Feb 2019

Russia has long lamented the US' "monopolization" of the peace process & tried to carve out a niche for itself: mediating among the disunited Palestinians/2
— Hanna Notte (@HannaNotte) February 29, 2024

Read the article at https://twitter.com/HannaNotte/status/1763116222256701787

Add new comment
Mother Jones is Reaching out to Alternative Party Voters
Mother Jones is Reaching out to Alternative Party Voters

submitted by HSG 9 months ago

Here's what I told them: https://halginsberg.com/vote-for-jill-stein-again/

Read the article at https://halginsberg.com/vote-for-jill-stein-again/

2 comments

Add new comment
Controversial Brazil law curbing Indigenous rights comes...
Controversial Brazil law curbing Indigenous rights comes into force

submitted by artappraiser 10 months ago

Controversial Brazil law curbing Indigenous rights comes into force https://t.co/pCoDg05irX
— Gareth Harris (@garethharr) December 28, 2023

Read the article at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/28/brazil-law-indigenous-land-rights-claim-time-marker?CMP=share_btn_tw

1 comment

Add new comment
Security Alert: U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince, Haiti (...
Security Alert: U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince, Haiti (December 25, 2023)

submitted by artappraiser 10 months ago

Location: U.S. Embassy and residential compounds

Events: Heavy gunfire is occuring around the area of the U.S. Embassy and residential compounds adjacent to the Trutier area of Tabarre. All Embassy personnel have been instructed to remain indoors and shelter-in-place until further notice. All others should avoid the area.

Actions to take:

Avoid the area;

Avoid demonstrations and any large gatherings of people;

Do not attempt to drive through roadblocks; and

If you encounter a roadblock, turn around and get to a safe area.

Read the article at https://ht.usembassy.gov/security-alert-u-s-embassy-port-au-prince-haiti-december-25-2023/

3 comments

Add new comment
Pakistan Is Creating the World’s Next Refugee Crisis
Pakistan Is Creating the World’s Next Refugee Crisis

submitted by artappraiser 11 months ago

By The Editorial Board @ Bloomberg.com, December 8, 2023

A mass expulsion of Afghan migrants could destabilize the region and fuel radicalization. The West should pressure Islamabad to change course.

Read the article at https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2023-12-08/pakistan-s-expulsion-of-afghan-refugees-risks-another-crisis

6 comments

Add new comment
Internet shut down in Chad
Internet shut down in Chad

submitted by artappraiser 11 months ago

All eyes on #Chad right now
Chad has two internet trunks coming into the country: One from the Red Sea via Sudan; the other from Cameroon. Not possible for the totality of the country's internet network to be shut unless done centrally. A lot of rumors swirling; few facts. https://t.co/N6bDJZ2ixO

Read the article at https://x.com/_hudsonc/status/1732891968709992511?s=20

2 comments

Add new comment
[Economy] where Joe's success falls short
[Economy] where Joe's success falls short

submitted by PeraclesPlease 11 months ago

Read the article at

3 comments

Add new comment
[CRIME News] 3 loss-prevention employees in Macy’s across...
[CRIME News] 3 loss-prevention employees in Macy’s across the street from Philadelphia City Hall stabbed

submitted by artappraiser 11 months ago

BREAKING: Three loss prevention employees in Macy’s across the street from Philadelphia City Hall stabbed, one of them has died from stab wounds, @PhillyPolice sources tell me. Police converged on the store as the three workers were rushed to Jefferson Hospital. pic.twitter.com/4U1eKycL4W

Read the article at https://x.com/KeeleyFox29/status/1731713272942940365?s=20

38 comments

Add new comment
Former U.S. Ambassador Arrested, Charged With Working As...
Former U.S. Ambassador Arrested, Charged With Working As Secret Agent For Cuba

submitted by artappraiser 11 months ago

Former US Ambassador Arrested, Charged With Working As Secret Agent For Cuba https://t.co/LDwo4ZJI1K
— HuffPost (@HuffPost) December 4, 2023

Read the article at https://www.huffpost.com/entry/manuel-rocha-ambassador-arrested-cuba_n_656d1e2ae4b028b0f3d07478

Add new comment
[War in Israel, Chapter II] UNRWA under scrutiny
[War in Israel, Chapter II] UNRWA under scrutiny

submitted by artappraiser 11 months ago

[Chapter I news is HERE, Oct. 7 til today]

You don’t get it.
It’s not about an UNRWA teacher who held an Israeli kid hostage in his house.
It’s all about how for 75 years you have destroyed the future of generations of Palestinians, including my family.
My cousins in Arab countries are still not citizens - not even the… https://t.co/nv6anubGhc
— George Deek (@GeorgeDeek) December 2, 2023

Note 'Community Notes' attached to UNWRA's statement.

Read the article at https://x.com/GeorgeDeek/status/1731020551328579863?s=20

58 comments

Add new comment
Maduro, Under Pressure, Holds Vote to Annex Territory From...
Maduro, Under Pressure, Holds Vote to Annex Territory From a Neighbor

submitted by artappraiser 11 months ago

Imperialism for me but not for thee?

It's wild that Venezuela is now holding a vote on whether 2/3 of Guyana actually belongs to them! Analysts suggest that Modoru may want military action to pump up his sinking popularity.

Could we have a war in South America?!?

"The people who live in Essequibo are largely… pic.twitter.com/QvMEjkkgwy

Read the article at https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/03/world/americas/maduro-vote-essequibo-guyana.html

6 comments

Add new comment
[Where is the GOP headed?] Divisions leave Florida’s House...
[Where is the GOP headed?] Divisions leave Florida’s House Republicans powerless

submitted by artappraiser 11 months ago

The lack of a cohesive delegation has allowed attention-seeking lawmakers to act on their own.

McCarthy: “You have [Rep. Matt] Gaetz, who belongs in jail…”

Gaetz: “Tough words from a guy who sucker punches people in the back. The only assault I committed was against Kevin’s fragile ego.”https://t.co/LctPuz6Pcf

Read the article at https://www.politico.com/news/2023/11/29/divisions-leave-floridas-house-republicans-powerless-00129200

10 comments

Add new comment
‘She got so mad at me’: book on the ‘Squad’ details AOC-...
‘She got so mad at me’: book on the ‘Squad’ details AOC-Pelosi clashes

submitted by artappraiser 11 months ago

By Martinn Pengelly in Washington DC for TheGuardian.com, Nov. 30

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tells Ryan Grim life in Congress ‘completely transformed’ after Democratic leader stepped down

Read the article at https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/nov/30/squad-book-aoc-nancy-pelosi?CMP=share_btn_tw

15 comments

Add new comment
US health insurers Humana, Cigna in talks to merge -source
US health insurers Humana, Cigna in talks to merge -source

submitted by artappraiser 11 months ago

@ Reuters, Nov. 29

Read the article at https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/us-health-insurers-humana-cigna-talks-merge-wsj-2023-11-29/

3 comments

Add new comment
Central Africa’s dinosaur regimes and the art of coup-...
Central Africa’s dinosaur regimes and the art of coup-proofing

submitted by artappraiser 11 months ago

"Both the AU and the intl community place more weight on whether elections are held than whether they are free and fair. Sanctions/expulsions occur when there is a coup but not necessarily when elections are rigged or if an “institutional coup” occurs." https://t.co/m9dNimJP0D
— Cameron Hudson (@_hudsonc) November 28, 2023

Read the article at https://africanarguments.org/2023/11/central-africas-dinosaur-regimes-and-the-art-of-coup-proofing/

Add new comment

From the Readers

Creative corner

From the Dagbloggers

Hits of the Day