Key Sens. Manchin and Sinema Advising House Centrists on Push for Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal
According to an article from Axios, Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va) are advising nine House centrist lawmakers who are attempting to force Speaker Nancy Pelosi to hold a vote on the Senate-passed bipartisan infrastructure deal.
“The two moderates who’ve stirred the biggest frustrations and held the most sway in their party over the infrastructure negotiations are helping allies in the House to stake out — and defend — their centrist position,” wrote Hans Nichols of Axios. “They’re offering encouragement and advice on how to negotiate with the White House and congressional leadership. Their behind-the-scenes support also indicates the degree to which Manchin and Sinema have prioritized getting the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure deal to final passage and in front of Biden for his signature.”
Taking a step back and looking at the bigger picture, conversations are bolstering House centrists’ resolve, according to Nichols.
“Since publicly demanding last Friday that Pelosi first bring the infrastructure bill to the floor before considering a larger package through a $3.5 trillion budget plan, the nine lawmakers have been subject to a combination of private scorn and public pressure,” Nichols wrote.
