US Senate votes to advance US$1 trillion infrastructure bill after months of negotiations
- Enough Republican senators have joined Democrats for the bill to make its final passage in the upper chamber appear nearly certain
- The legislation calls for US$550 billion in new federal spending on ageing infrastructure, including spending to slow the effects of climate change
The US$1.2 trillion bill, designed to fund much-needed upgrades to US roads, highways, bridges and high-speed internet, drew the support of 18 Republican senators and 49 Democrats, a rare instance of bipartisanship in deeply divided Washington.
That Republican support – with the party’s Senate leader Mitch McConnell among the 18 in favour – will end floor debate on the bill, a procedural step that required 60 votes.
With only 51 votes required for final Senate passage, the vote on Saturday greatly improves the bill’s chances, although fierce wrangling over amendments is continuing.
The bill must pass another procedural step before going to a final vote, the timing of which remained uncertain on Saturday evening, when voting ended to be picked up again Sunday.
The total US$1.2 trillion price tag – equal to the 2020 GDP of Spain – includes some funds previously approved but not yet spent.
