The $1 trillion infrastructure bill is set to be the subject of debate within the U.S. House of Representatives starting Monday before the plan to pass the large chunk of President Joe Biden’s domestic agenda Thursday.
The dates were unveiled by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in Sunday’s letter to Democratic lawmakers, as well as in television interviews where he announced the passage of the bill this week.
“Let me just say that we’re going to pass the bill this week,” she told ABC News’ “This Week” show.
The House Speaker added that she would not lay a bill on the House floor for deliberation unless it had gathered sufficient support for passage.
When asked regarding the bill, the president also answered reporters with confidence saying: “it’s going to take the better part of this week.”
Last month, the infrastructure plan gained the Senate’s approval, with the Democratic caucus’ 50 members joined by 19 Republicans.
Coverage of the infrastructure spending includes the old roads and bridges repair, broadband expansion, unsafe water systems replacement, passenger rail and transit systems expansion, sewer infrastructure addition, as well as airport improvements. Nearly 50 percent of the said spending is in new government funding.
Also through the letter, Pelosi informed that the leaders in the House are working alongside the White House and the Senate in another $3.5 trillion proposals which include climate change undertakings and social safety net. Under the measure are the programs to give pre-kindergarten education, college classes that are free of charge, stretched health care for the elderly, funding intended for childcare, budget for climate change impacts, and cutting down prescription drug prices, among others.
However, more hurdles are up against the larger bill which already reached the House Budget Committee on Sunday. Among the challenges have emerged from the opposition who were joined with some Democrats claiming non-support for the funding, Voice of America reported.
Lower price tag could probably be the outcome of the debate, Pelosi told ABC’s “This Week”, dubbing the progress “self-evident.”
