总统乔·拜登周四，一个两党参议员小组宣布，在国会即将休会两周之前的白宫会议之后，他们已经达成了一项1.2万亿美元的基础设施框架协议。

拜登在白宫车道上发表讲话，周围都是来自两党的微笑参议员，他说:“我向他们保证，我会坚持他们的提议，他们也向我保证——在我的家乡，这对我来说已经足够了。”

拜登说:“我们在两个方面都做出了重大妥协。

“他们没有——我理解他们的立场——共和党人不想支持我所说的人力基础设施，我们将看看和解法案和预算过程会发生什么，”他说。“如果我们在那里达成一些妥协，如果我们不能，看看我能否吸引所有民主党人到他们可以在双轨上推动它的位置。”

凯文·拉马克/路透社

乔·拜登总统在与参议员的两党会议后谈到了拟议的联邦储备局

此后不久，拜登在白宫东厅的正式讲话中吹捧了这项协议。

“我以前说过很多次，当我们决定作为一个国家一起做这件事时，我们的国家没有什么做不到的。在我看来，今天是这一真理的最新例证，”拜登开始说道。“我很高兴地报告，一个由参议员、五名民主党人、五名共和党人组成的两党小组，作为更大团体的一部分，已经聚集在一起，迫使达成一项协议，该协议将创造数百万美国就业机会，并使我们的美国基础设施现代化，以在21世纪与世界其他地区竞争。”

在吹捧了这一庞大的一揽子计划后，拜登强调说，这一切都没有增加汽油税，没有对电动汽车收费，“也没有从40万美元以下的人群中增加一分钱”。

埃文·武奇/美联社

乔·拜登总统抵达白宫东厅，就基础设施谈判发表讲话

拜登说，尽管该协议并不完全是他想要的，也不完全是共和党人想要的，但他们确实达成了两党共识，这一事实使得他们的协议更加重要。

“让我说清楚，在这笔交易中，双方都没有得到他们想要的一切。妥协就是这个意思。它反映了一些重要的东西。体现共识。民主的核心，”拜登说。

该协议将在八年内支出1.2万亿美元，包括前五年的5790亿美元新支出。

参议员们说，各方都做出了妥协，没有人得到他们想要的一切，他们说他们需要回到国会山去解决细节问题。

“今天，我们宣布了基础设施历史性投资的框架，”俄亥俄州共和党参议员罗布·波特曼说，他是主要谈判者之一。“这包括道路和桥梁，但也包括许多其他种类的基础设施，包括宽带，包括我们的供水系统和铁路系统。”

他赞扬了两党的努力。

“我很高兴看到我们在核心基础设施方面走到了一起。波特曼说:“这不是非基础设施项目，没有新的税收，共和党人和民主党人都承诺，我们将把这个项目推向终点。”

埃文·武奇/美联社

2021年6月24日，星期四，乔·拜登总统和一个两党参议员小组在外面讲话

“没有人在包裹里得到他们想要的一切。“我们都付出了一些，得到了一些——因为我们所做的是把我们国家的需求放在首位，”亚利桑那州的基尔斯顿·西内马(Kyrsten Sinema)说。“我们很高兴回到国会山，开始赢得共和党和民主党的更多支持，以使这项法案越过终点线。”

共和党参议员苏珊·科林斯称之为美国历史上最大的基础设施一揽子计划。

她说，参议院几十年来一直在努力达成一项基础设施协议，因此在世界舞台上展示美国两党合作的可能性是“重要的”

“我们已经就价格标签、范围和支付方式达成一致。在这三个方面达成一致并不容易，但这是至关重要的，”她说。“向美国人民展示参议院能够运转，我们能够以两党合作的方式工作，这是至关重要的，它也向世界发出了一个重要的信息，即美国能够运转，能够完成事情。”

一旦该法案的措辞被确定下来，在拜登签署该法案之前，它必须在国会两院获得通过。民主党人警告说，只有一项专注于“人力基础设施”的单独和解法案也获得批准，该法案才会出台。

周四早些时候，弗吉尼亚州民主党参议员乔·曼钦(Joe Manchin)告诉国会山记者，21名参议员和拜登的白宫谈判代表已经就该计划的“框架”达成协议，其他参议员周三晚些时候也使用了同样的语言。

当被问及还有哪些领域需要解决时，曼钦说，“这就是为什么我们要去和拜登总统谈谈。”

曼努埃尔·巴尔奇·塞内塔/美联社

2021年6月22日，华盛顿国会山，参议员乔·曼钦走在参议院地铁附近。

曼钦说:“拜登总统是最终必须签署这一协议的人，以确保他感到舒适，他希望达成一项两党协议。”。“现在是个问题了，总统舒服吗。”

拜登一直希望两党合作的计划能够成为他总统任期内具有里程碑意义的立法。

但众议院议长南希·佩洛西周四表示，除非参议院通过一项包括进步优先事项的更广泛的和解法案，否则众议院“不会”通过基础设施法案。

“在参议院通过两党法案和和解法案之前，我们不会在众议院讨论一项法案。佩洛西说:“如果没有两党法案，那么我们将在参议院通过和解法案后离开。”。

“简单明了，”她说。“事实上，我用了‘不是’这个词。"

“除非美国参议院通过和解法案，否则不会有基础设施法案，”她说，但她补充说，她对两党合作“充满希望”。

佩洛西和其他民主党领导人支持对基础设施采取“双轨”办法，包括通过一项使用和解的单独法案，该法案不需要共和党的支持，包括民主党的优先事项，如医疗保健、儿童保健、气候变化和教育。

亚历克斯·布兰登/美联社

加州众议院议长南希·佩洛西向媒体宣布，她将做出特别承诺...

周三晚些时候，包括缅因州共和党人柯林斯、俄亥俄州波特曼和蒙大拿州民主党人乔恩·特斯特在内的谈判代表也表示，他们已经达成了一项基础设施协议的“框架”，但仍在制定一些关键细节，包括如何为该方案付费。

几周以来，参议员们就如何支付一揽子计划一直存在分歧，共和党人拒绝任何减税，白宫拒绝为年收入低于40万美元的美国人增加任何费用或税收。

尽管这一可能的协议似乎有很大的势头，但进步的民主党人将如何接受这一计划仍有待观察，这远远低于他们的预期。

参议院少数党领袖米奇·麦康奈尔对该方案的立场也不清楚。

民主党人还同时通过预算和解制定了一项全面、防阻挠的计划，将多达6万亿美元的支出纳入“人类基础设施”，其中包括老年人和儿童保育、气候变化、医疗改革和移民改革。该一揽子计划的部分费用将通过向富人增税来支付。

尽管民主党领导人没有签署提交给拜登的较小的两党一揽子计划，但他们已经为7月份的众议院审议扫清了道路。

塞缪尔·科伦/盖蒂影像公司

弗吉尼亚州民主党参议员马克·沃纳、缅因州共和党参议员苏珊·科林斯和弗吉尼亚州民主党参议员乔·曼钦在离开时进行了交谈.

与佩洛西一样，参议院多数党领袖查克·舒默(Chuck Schumer)表示，即使参议员们准备与拜登达成协议，民主党人也必须继续他们的替代路线。

“一个离不开另一个。我们都同意这一点。除非我们有把握完成预算和解法案，否则我们无法完成两党法案。除非我们对两党[法案]有把握，否则我们无法完成预算和解法案。我想我们所有的成员都意识到了这一点。我们的民主党成员，”他说。

当曼钦在周四早上被问及对那些认为这个方案不够的进步人士会说什么时，他说，“请不要让完美成为好的敌人。我们在这项立法中做得很好。”

Biden, bipartisan senators say they have $1.2 trillion framework infrastructure deal

PresidentJoe Bidenand a bipartisan group of senators on Thursday announced they had reached a framework $1.2 trillion infrastructure deal after a White House meeting just before Congress was about to leave town for a two-week recess.

Speaking in the White House driveway, surrounded by smiling senators from both parties, Biden said, "They have my word, and I'll stick with what they proposed, and they've given me their word as well -- and where I come from, that's good enough for me."

"We made serious compromises on both ends," Biden said.

"They did not -- and I understand their position -- the Republicans did not want to go along with the human infrastructure that I talk about, and we'll see what happens in the reconciliation bill and the budget process," he said. "If we get some compromise there and if we can't, see if I can attract all Democrats to the position where they can move it on the dual track."

Shortly afterward, Biden touted the deal in formal remarks from the White House East Room.

"I said many times before, there's nothing our nation can't do when we decide to do it together, do it as one nation. Today is the latest example of that truth, in my view," Biden began. "I'm pleased to report that a bipartisan group of senators, five Democrats, five Republicans, part of larger groups -- have come together and force an agreement that will create millions of American jobs and modernize our American infrastructure to compete with the rest of the world in 21st century."

After touting the expansive package, Biden emphasized that it all comes without an increase on the gas tax, without fees on electric vehicles and "without raising a cent from earners below $400,000."

Biden said, though the deal isn't exactly what he wanted, nor is it exactly what Republicans had in mind, the fact that they did reach a bipartisan, consensus makes their agreement all the more significant.

"Let me be clear, neither side got everything they wanted in this deal. That's what it means to compromise. And it reflects something important. Reflects consensus. The heart of democracy," Biden said.

The deal would see $1.2 trillion in spending over eight years, including $579 billion in new spending over the first five years.

The senators, saying all sides had compromised and no one got everything they wanted, said they needed to head back to Capitol Hill to work out details.

"Today we are announcing the framework for a historic investment in infrastructure," said Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, one of the lead negotiators. "This is roads and bridges but also lots of other kinds of infrastructure including broadband, including our water system and rail system."

He praised the bipartisan effort.

"I'm pleased to see us come together on a core infrastructure package. This is not non-infrastructure items, without new taxes, and with the commitment from Republicans and Democrats alike that we're going to get this across the finish line," Portman said.

"No one got everything they wanted in the package. We all gave some to get some -- because what we did was put first the needs of our country," said Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz. "We are delighted to go back to the Hill and begin earning more support from both Republicans and Democrats to get this bill across the finish line."

GOP Sen. Susan Collins called it the largest infrastructure package in U.S. history.

She said the Senate has worked for decades to reach an infrastructure deal, so it's "important" to show on the world stage that bipartisanship is possible in the U.S.

"We've agreed on the price tag, the scope, and how to pay for it. It was not easy to get agreement on all three, but it was essential," she said. "It was essential to show the American people that the Senate can function, that we can work in a bipartisan way, and it sends an important message to the world as well, that America can function, can get things done."

Once the bill's language is nailed down, it will have to pass through both chambers of Congress before Biden can sign the legislation -- which Democrats warn will only come if a separate, reconciliation bill focused on "human infrastructure" is also approved.

Earlier Thursday, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., told Capitol Hill reporters that 21 senators and Biden's White House negotiators had reached an agreement on the plan's "framework," the same language other other senators used late Wednesday.

Asked what areas still need to be worked out, Manchin said, "That's why we're going to go talk to President Biden."

"President Biden is the ultimate person that will have to sign off on this, to make sure he's comfortable, and he wants a bipartisan deal," Manchin said. "It's a matter now, was the president comfortable."

Biden has been hoping for a bipartisan plan that can serve as landmark legislation for his presidency.

But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday there "ain't" going to be an infrastructure bill in the House unless the Senate passes a broader reconciliation bill that includes progressive priorities.

"We will not take up a bill in the House until the Senate passes the bipartisan bill and a reconciliation bill. If there is no bipartisan bill, then we'll just go when the Senate passes a reconciliation bill," Pelosi said.

"Plain and simple," she said. "In fact, I used the word 'ain't."

"There ain't going to be an infrastructure bill unless we have the reconciliation bill passed by the United States Senate," she said, but she added she's "hopeful" for bipartisanship.

Pelosi and other Democratic leaders support a "dual-track" approach to infrastructure that would include a separate bill passed using reconciliation, which wouldn't require GOP support, that includes Democratic priorities, such as health care, child care, climate change and education.

Late Wednesday, negotiators, including Republicans Collins of Maine, Ohio's Portman and Montana Democrat Jon Tester, also said that they had reached a "framework" for an infrastructure deal but were still working out some key details, including how to pay for the package.

Senators have been at odds for weeks over how to pay for the package, with Republicans refusing any tax cuts and the White House rejecting any fees or tax increases for Americans making under $400,000 annually.

But while the possible deal appears to have substantial momentum, it remains to be seen how progressive Democrats will receive the plan, which is far less than they had hoped for.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's position on the package is also unclear.

Democrats are also simultaneously crafting a sweeping, filibuster-proof plan via budget reconciliation to wrap in as much as $6 trillion in spending on "human infrastructure," which includes elder and childcare, climate change, Medicare changes and immigration reforms. That package would, in part, be paid for by raising taxes on the wealthy.

Though Democratic leadership not signed off on the smaller, bipartisan package being presented to Biden, they are already clearing a path for floor consideration in July.

As with Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has said that Democrats must continue their alternative route even as senators head to strike a deal with Biden.

“One can’t be done without the other. All of us agree to that. We can’t get the bipartisan bill done unless we’re sure of getting the budget reconciliation bill done. We can’t get the budget reconciliation bill done unless we’re sure of the bipartisan [bill]. I think our members across the spectrum realize that. Our Democrat members," he said.

When Manchin was asked Thursday morning what would say to progressives who say this package isn't enough, he said, "please don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. We're doing so much good in this piece of legislation."