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Bipartisan Infrastructure Package Gets Traction in Senate

A bipartisan infrastructure bill gained significant traction on Wednesday with a 67-32 vote to begin debate on a package that is said to include roughly $550 billion in new infrastructure spending. According to the White House, which supports the measure, the agreement is said to include $110 billion for roads, $73 billion for power grid spending, $66 billion for railways, $65 billion to expand broadband access, $55 billion for clean drinking water, $50 billion for environmental resiliency, $39 billion for public transit and $25 billion for airports. According to the members engaged in the drafting of the bill, the bill is "fully paid for" with redirection of existing funds and expected future revenues.

A separate budget reconciliation bill led by Senate Democrats that includes a broader supplemental spending and tax package of an estimated $3.5 trillion is expected to also soon receive consideration in the Senate. That measure is expected to move strictly on a partisan basis and include tax increases that could impact agriculture, however, details have not been released. In addition, it's not known yet whether that package has broad enough support for approval in the Senate. Any measures approved by the Senate must also receive consideration and approval by the House prior to reaching the President's desk. It's expected that debate on these proposals will extend in Congress for several weeks to come.

More below:

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-senators-reach-deal-major-points-bipartisan-infrastructure-bill-2021-07-28/

https://www.wsj.com/articles/infrastructure-agreement-on-major-issues-reached-by-bipartisan-group-gop-negotiator-says-11627487459

https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/news/world-policy/article/2021/07/29/light-details-white-house-gets-win

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/07/28/statement-by-president-joe-biden-on-the-bipartisan-infrastructure-deal/

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/07/28/fact-sheet-historic-bipartisan-infrastructure-deal/

https://www.politico.com/news/2021/07/28/bipartisan-infrastructure-deal-501278

https://www.politico.com/news/2021/07/28/biden-infrastructure-bipartisan-win-501463

https://www.politico.com/news/2021/07/28/bipartisan-infrastructure-deal-501278

https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/16240-senators-white-house-finalize-deal-on-550b-in-new-infrastructure-spending

https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/16255-washington-week-ahead-senate-set-to-debate-bipartisan-infrastructure-bill

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