Schumer Sets Key Vote on Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill for Next Week

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Thursday that he would begin procedural votes for a bipartisan infrastructure package next Wednesday, urging lawmakers to finalize their legislation before then. The announcement comes two days after Schumer told reporters that Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who leads the bipartisan group writing the bill, said they would “have legislation ready by Friday.” Schumer will file cloture on a placeholder bill on Monday, setting up a Wednesday vote that could end formal debate on the bill if 60 senators, including at least 10 Republicans, approve. Democrats hope to pair this infrastructure package with a $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation bill, which would keep Republicans from using the filibuster to require a 60-vote threshold. 

Coverage was more common in left- and center-rated outlets as of Thursday afternoon. Coverage was mostly balanced across the spectrum, with some outlets calling Schumer's actions a "hardball strategy."