WASHINGTON – A senior Republican senator said he and his colleagues could support an infrastructure bill of about $ 800 billion, underscoring the GOP’s interest in a two-pronged solution to the country’s outdated roads and patchy broadband service.
Senator John Cornyn (R., Texas) comments on Sunday indicate that Senate Republicans are seeking a compromise on infrastructure ahead of President Biden’s meeting with lawmakers on Monday to push through his own $ 2.3 trillion plan.
Republicans have generally expressed concern that Mr Biden’s package is too expensive and contains too many, which they consider non-infrastructure elements.
Asked on Fox News Sunday if he could support an infrastructure package worth about $ 800 billion, Mr. Cornyn said, “There’s a core infrastructure law we could pass … So let’s do it and leave the rest for another day and one more fight. “
Senator Chris Coons (D., Del.), Also on Fox News Sunday, said Democrats should work towards a two-pronged agreement with Republicans on elements of the White House infrastructure plan, before moving on to a second, broader package that will give Democrats pass around. party lines.