More Democrats criticize Pelosi for taking infrastructure hostage
Nancy Pelosi is facing growing criticism from her own party for saying she will hold up a bipartisan infrastructure bill unless the Senate passes a separate massive spending bill loaded with tax increases.
New York Times: Representative Josh Gottheimer said the bipartisan infrastructure deal was historic on its own and “something we should celebrate by getting it passed as quickly as possible…. I don’t think we should hold our infrastructure hostage.”
CNN: Rep. Abigail Spanberger: “I think it’d be incredibly disappointing if there’s a bill from the Senate, waiting for our action, and we choose to delay it arbitrarily.”
CNN: Rep. Dean Phillips, a Minnesota Democrat, said “no” to the two packages being tied together, saying the measures should stand on their own.
CNN: Rep. Ed Case of Hawaii: “I do have concerns…” “I think that … a bill that can actually pass Congress and get to the President’s desk — I want to pass that. And so I want to strike while the iron is hot.” Asked if he was concerned that effectively tying the two together could kill both efforts, he said: “I am concerned about that.”
Roll Call: Oregon Rep. Kurt Schrader said in an interview that he’s planning to vote against a budget resolution that would include reconciliation instructions for trillions of dollars in additional spending.
Politico: “Some of the folks from my party are saying, ‘Oh, but we got to add all those things.’ I want to know what we’re looking at there before I can commit,” said Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas.), adding that he’s particularly worried about tax increases. “I mean, there’s some things I support, but I just don’t know exactly what that wish list might be.”
CNN: Rep. Jared Golden: wouldn’t say if he was OK with Pelosi’s approach. “Plenty of time to talk about that,” he said when asked.
Politico: “That’s going to be tough,” said Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), adding that she won’t decide how she’ll vote on the budget resolution until she learns more from Democratic leadership about their plans for the bill. “A lot of us want to know what we’re talking about here. I’m open, but you gotta show me what this is about and why it’s required.”
NRCC Comment: “Speaker Pelosi should drop her threat to take a bipartisan infrastructure bill hostage. Voters don’t want another massive spending bill that raises their taxes.” – NRCC Spokesman Mike Berg