America's aging infrastructure lags well behind other countries

The Democratic and Republican senators pitching an infrastructure deal face early hurdles in pushing their roughly $1 trillion plan through Congress.

The bipartisan proposal crafted by 10 senators would focus on transportation, broadband and water, and would not raise taxes to offset costs. A handful of Democrats who seek a broader plan that addresses climate change and social programs, paid for by increasing taxes on corporations or the wealthy, have opposed the framework.

Senators have to walk a fine line as concessions to win over one party jeopardizes support from the other. Despite growing opposition from liberals, one Republican who worked on the plan hopes the group can gain support from enough GOP senators to overcome a loss of Democratic votes.

“There certainly should be,” Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, told CNBC on Tuesday when asked whether there would be enough Republican support to pass the plan. “I mean, this is a proposal for infrastructure that Republicans have traditionally supported. It’s also a proposal without raising income taxes. … I think it’s something that’s going to get a lot of support on both sides of the aisle.”

President Joe Biden proposed a $2.3 trillion infrastructure and economic recovery plan as his second major legislative initiative. After his talks with Republicans collapsed amid disagreements over what to include in a bill and how to pay for it, lawmakers pushed ahead with a last-ditch effort to craft a bipartisan plan.

As the 10 senators try to win support for their proposal, Democrats have set the groundwork to approve a bill on their own through budget reconciliation. During a meeting with House Democrats on Tuesday, White House advisor Steve Ricchetti said the administration would wait “a week or 10 days” to see if a bipartisan deal materializes, according to House Budget Committee Chair Rep. John Yarmuth, D-Ky. If not, Democrats “move along with reconciliation for everything,” Yarmuth said.

However, a Democrats-only bill appears blocked for now as at least one Democrat involved in the talks, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, insists he wants to pass a plan with bipartisan support.

Congressional leaders have a math problem. To get through the evenly split Senate under the normal process, legislation would need support from all of the Democratic caucus and at least 10 Republicans — or more if any Democrats defect. If Democrats try to approve legislation on their own using budget reconciliation, they cannot lose a single vote.

The bipartisan strategy faces its share of skeptics. Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent who caucuses with Democrats, told reporters Monday he will not vote for the plan.

“The bottom line is, there are a lot of needs facing this country,” he said. “Now is the time to address those needs, and it has to be paid for in a progressive way, given the fact that we have massive income and wealth inequality in America.”

At least two other Democrats — Sens. Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Jeff Merkley of Oregon — have signaled they will oppose an infrastructure deal unless it invests more in fighting climate change.

Passing a bill in the Senate will also depend on whether the bipartisan group can win over Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. Neither senator has endorsed the framework.

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[garry]

Try living in Michigan. Sometimes there's actually road between the potholes.

[johannesramokgadi]

Stop sending $ 3.8 billion every year to Israel and fix the infrastructure in US.

[candon]

Infrastructure in US looks like something from the Philippines or India 🤷‍♂️

[soloperformer]

The US has adopted the ostrich concept of burying it's head in the sand believing that it was, and still is, the greatest country on earth. Boy is it in for a surprise when it finally takes a look around.

[JW]

America's airport looks like a third world country.
But raising taxes is not the answer. Singapore has the lowest tax rate on Earth and ranked No. 1 in Infrastructure.
Cutting excess military spending is the answer.

[thomasrogers]

investment in our nation is not SOCIALISM it is common sense

[JohnAckerman]

I was just recently on vacation in Europe with some family, and I’ve got to say that the infrastructure there totally beats what we have here. We drove along the autobahn, and it was the smoothest highway I have ever been on. We also rode a train from Munich to Vienna, and we were going close to 180 mph. I also saw freight trains going pretty fast too. Washington has really got to wake up, and start investing in America instead of other countries. Bridges and roads are crumbling, railroads are obsolete, airports are congested, and we only have one high speed rail line that very briefly hits 150 mph. It makes me sick to see what kind of leadership we have, and how everything we spend goes directly to other places. It’s time to invest in fixing America

[scipioprime]

America should fix infrastructure then follow up on healthcare and education. Providing free healthcare and education for your citizens doesnt mean communism ffs.

[ABoredTroll]

It doesn't matter how much you invest in infrastructure if the lower and middle class is struggling. Invest in affordable housing and it will strengthen the working class.

[freda]

We worry about China exceeding America? Infrastructure is how they'll succeed.

[zakmatew]

So we are 13 in infrastructure and call ourselves “the best in the world”? The best in what exactly? Lol

[Jorge-lmbg]

Instead of investing in highways, we should be investing in high speed rail. They’re much easier to maintain than highways, and over a 30 year period it is much cheaper than highways

[matthewhub]

Investing in crypto now should be in every wise individuals list, in some months time you'll be ecstatic with the decision you made today.

[johnnytyj]

Most Americans and Canadian never ever travel to Asia and Europe....they only compare South America.

[longbeach]

1:20. Indeed. I have been on the EuroStar Italia and it is remarkable compared to ‘70s era US diesel trains.

[dudoji]

$2.6 Trillion? No problem! Time to crank up the printing press even hotter

[torquetrain]

Dethrone king car and car centric infrastructure and we can see a real transportation system . Dumberica is built for cars and not people. We are dying here.

[briandavis]

it’s not for lack of money, it’s mismanaged and ripped off.

[marengoczar]

Whoever said China is in 36 i assume, is mainly focused on rural areas. If they were going off the condition and quality of US infrastructure is maybe between 40th and 50th.

[nmew]

Never mind, America has the biggest war machine