Third Way Salutes Bipartisan Group of Senators for Reaching Deal on Infrastructure Framework

WASHINGTON — Third Way released the following statement from Jim Kessler, Executive Vice President for Policy, on the recent announcement of the Senate reaching a deal on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Package:

“After 4 ½ years, it is now Infrastructure Week.

“Third Way salutes the bipartisan group of senators who overcame skepticism and derision to lead negotiations that culminated in a deal today on a $1.2 trillion “hard” infrastructure bill that includes $550 billion in new investments. This is a signature accomplishment that will rebuild the nation’s roads and bridges, expand broadband, create jobs, stimulate the economy, and place a meaningful down payment on critical climate and clean energy needs. We are constantly hearing about a broken Washington that is unable to work together, but today showed that when policymakers put the interests of Americans – and particularly American workers – first, we can deliver.

“None of this could be done without the leadership provided by President Joe Biden, whose American Jobs Plan was a framework for the action needed to build this country back better. The bipartisan group of senators led by Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Rob Portman never quit believing an agreement was possible. Leader Chuck Schumer provided the space and support for the negotiations to occur. Now it’s time for the Senate to pass this important bill.

“With the American Rescue Plan and the Bipartisan Infrastructure deal, President Biden and Congress are on the cusp of completing two of the 3 major Build Back Better tasks. The final piece is next. It’s up to House and Senate Democrats to deliver a robust and ambitious reconciliation package that brings together the rest of the President’s priorities. Third Way has long supported many of the priorities expected to be included in budget reconciliation from capping health care costs to dramatically expanding apprenticeships and support for working parents. And we look forward to seeing critical clean energy priorities such as incentives to ensure utilities sell more clean power, a Civilian Climate Corps, and various tax credits and investments needed to support existing and emerging clean energy technologies that will place the U.S. on the fastest, fairest path to net-zero emissions by mid-century and make our country and workers the most globally competitive.

“We look forward to Majority Leader Schumer advancing the expected bill ahead later today, as well as the subsequent budget resolution and budget reconciliation bill.”