Top Democrats are pushing forward with a filibuster-proof bill to expand the social safety net and fulfill the rest of Biden's long list of wishes. The uncertain timeline for this strategy is a concern to both party progressives as well as moderates, with the latter group of Democrats pushing for a vote on the bipartisan agreement as soon as possible rather than waiting for the larger partisan bill.It is becoming more difficult for Biden, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer trying to please all their caucuses. White House officials, top Democrats spent much June rushing from meeting to meeting trying keep their votes in order. This was despite having the narrowest congressional margins for decades and no legislative language.July will likely get busier. With both chambers closed and Washington at a standstill during the recess, lawmakers and their aides aren't expecting much movement next week. Some groups will still meet, such as the Democrats on the House Ways and Means Committee, which is charged with finalizing the payment for any infrastructure bill. This could be the most difficult challenge of all.House Democrats are hoping to make the next major step in their infrastructure plans by approving a budget plan that will effectively unlock their filibusterproof process.Some moderate Democrats are hopeful that this is not their only vote. They have urged the White House and their leadership to vote on Biden’s bipartisan agreement as soon the text is available.I believe we have the votes to pass a bipartisan bill as President Biden negotiated and supported. Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D. Fla.) stated that if you have the votes you should vote.Zach Gibson/Getty ImagesMurphy stated that those dollars must be started now and added that any infrastructure bill would face bureaucratic headaches such as slow-moving permits.Like most centrist Democrats, Murphy supports a larger party-line bill that is passed through the budget reconciliation process, which effectively bypasses a Senate GOP filibuster. She and others believe it is crucial to preserve support for Biden's bipartisan infrastructure agreement from both parties while not scaring away GOP supporters with a large party-line vote.Let's do that, then we can discuss other things that hopefully won't cost trillions of money, said Rep. Kurt Schrader (D.Ore.). He is one of a few Democrats who think a reconciliation bill may not be necessary.I don't think we should do one. Schrader stated in an interview that he is worried about spending trillions of dollars and suggested that he would prefer any other large spending bill to be passed in the fall or winter.It is still uncertain when Biden's infrastructure plans will be completed, and what the timing of Democrats' larger separate bill will be. Although lawmakers are keen to accomplish as much as possible before August recess closes, they know that much of the work could fall in September or beyond. These big plans may also be in trouble when Congress faces other crucial housekeeping tasks such as raising the U.S. Debt Ceiling and avoiding a government shutdown by September 30.For the moment, the majority of the Democrats' unity campaign takes place behind closed doors. For instance, several White House officials met this week with leaders from both moderate and progressive groups to promote their dual-track approach for infrastructure. John Yarmuth, Chair of the House Budget Committee (D-Ky.), was charged with crafting a budget resolution that could win nearly total-unity within their caucus. He also met almost daily with key Democratic groups in preparation for a floor vote which will take place as soon as possible in late July.After meeting with representatives from the House Democratic Caucus, and the Biden Administration officials, John Yarmuth (D-Ky.), the Chair of the House Budget Committee pauses to allow reporters to ask questions. The purpose of the meeting was for progress on the infrastructure bill at Capitol. J. Scott Applewhite/AP PhotoIt is not just the Democratic side that coordinates. To discuss the fate of Biden's bipartisan agreement within the GOP conference, leaders of a different group, the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus met with Kevin McCarthy, House Minority Leader.The same group spoke this week with Sens., the Senate deals lead negotiators. Kyrsten Sinema (D. Arizona) and Rob Portman, (R. Ohio) for more details on the chamber's compromise proposal with Biden.The Democratic divisions could be starkly displayed when the two chambers must agree on a budget blueprint to allow the party to begin the reconciliation process. This procedural task comes with many political hurdles. Moderates and progressives have vastly different ideas about how the Democrats-only bill should look.The Democrats can lose three to four members of the House on a floor vote. Although the vote is not yet in, senior lawmakers and aides believe that Pelosi's leadership team will eventually be able keep the caucus together.Both the Senate and House GOP leaders have so far resisted any endorsement or rebuke of Biden's bipartisan agreement with five Republican senators. According to multiple people familiar with the discussion, McCarthy has indicated privately that he might support a bipartisan agreement on certain occasions, but he was critical of it at other times.Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell stated Thursday in his home state that he would like to see the bipartisan Infrastructure Deal move forward, but warned that it was too early to know if that will happen.J. Scott Applewhite/AP PhotoMcConnell called earlier this week on Schumer and Pelosi to separate the bipartisan infrastructure agreement from efforts to pass Democrats’ other priorities along party lines through a separate bill. Progressives warn that they won't back a bipartisan bill unless there is a second package.Until they have more information about the funding mechanism, many other Senate Republicans will withhold support for this bipartisan agreement.The Senate Democrats are also eager to receive additional information on the proposal, which is still in draft form."I am optimistic that we will have an even more detailed bipartisan package...that will have been strengthened with more detail language over the two weeks recess," Sen. Chris Coons (D.Del.) said Thursday. Thursday, he said.Marianne LeVine contributed to the report.
