Biden pursues GOP infrastructure deal as anxious Democrats watch the clock – By Sahil Kapur and Shannon Pettypiece (NBC News) / May 3 2021
The president and his allies feel they have a limited window for movement on any legislation before members start focusing on the midterm elections.
WASHINGTON — As President Joe Biden doubles down on seeking Republican cooperation for an infrastructure package, some Democratic allies say he should be prepared to go it alone if a deal doesn’t materialize quickly.
The White House wants to see counteroffers to Biden’s $2.25 trillion infrastructure plan by the middle of this month, and if progress isn’t being made by Memorial Day, officials will reassess their strategy of trying to build bipartisan support, said a person familiar with the negotiations.
Some moderate Democrats insist on cutting a deal — and others worry that it would be a dead end that would burn valuable time.
Republicans, who have floated a slimmer $568 billion package, say they wonder whether the White House is willing to limit a bill to narrower measures, like roads and bridges, while cutting out pieces they oppose, like elder care subsidies. Aides for members of Congress on both sides of the aisle also say they fear that the other side may not be negotiating in good faith.
