House to vote on infrastructure bill by Sept. 27

“Passing an infrastructure bill is always exciting for what it means in terms of jobs and commerce in our country,” Speaker Pelosi said in a statement. “Now more than ever, it also has to be a part of protecting our environment.”

According to a news report from The Hill, the Speaker’s deadline for the vote was announced just before the House voted to approve a $3.5 trillion budget blueprint. That vote was held up by demands of centrist Democrats who wanted the House to vote first on the bipartisan infrastructure bill. Progressives in the House Democratic Caucus wanted the infrastructure bill’s vote to wait until after the budget reconciliation package was passed in the House and Senate.

Earlier this month, the Senate passed the bipartisan infrastructure package by a vote of 69-30. At the time, Speaker Pelosi indicated the House would not take up the bipartisan bill until the Senate passed the $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation package.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes $550 billion in new federal spending over five years, including $110 billion in roads, bridges, and major projects; $66 billion in passenger and freight rail; $39 billion for transit systems; and $7.5 billion for electric vehicle infrastructure.