The six hardline progressives balked after Democratic leaders reneged on a pledge to bring up both the infrastructure bill and the spending bill for votes at the same time. "She was always prepared to vote for the infrastructure bill alongside BBB, but she could not support the infrastructure bill on its own and risk losing our only leverage for policies in the BBB that NY-14 so badly needs." The $1.75 trillion framework agreement for Biden’s social spending bill includes many initiatives championed by progressives, including more than $500 billion toward climate action, expanded education and paid leave. The House voted to adopt the "rule" governing the reconciliation process for the spending bill last week in a procedural step that precedes a final vote on the bill itself. The infrastructure bill was a key bargaining chip for Ocasio-Cortez and other progressives, who have long warned that moderates would push for a watered-down version of the spending bill once their priority legislation passed.

Source: Fox News November 09, 2021 01:46 UTC