The simple act of setting the schedule is a valuable tool in a 50-50 Senate, where power is distributed across both parties as well as the ideological spectrum. Senators keep a close watch on how much of their five week recess will be sacrificed for the infrastructure gods.According to Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R.W.Va.), the bipartisan bill is a motivator. People will get sick of one another.The August schedule is still in uncertainty after Sen. Lindsey Graham, a bipartisan bill-backer from South Carolina, tested positive for Covid. This was after he spent several days with his colleagues. Everyone's plans could be impacted by viral spread in the Senate.Even if they do not, Republicans warn Democrats against assuming that the 50-vote minority will just fast-forward the amendment process on this bill. The Senate's majority members have not had much influence over the bipartisan infrastructure agreement Biden approved, which has led to a lot of demand for changes.We've lost at most one week. Senator Jon Tester (D.Mont.) said that we may have lost two weeks. A member of the bipartisan negotiation group, he is also a farmer whose crops were damaged by the weather this season, which makes it easier for him stay in the capital. It all depends. The calendar could prove to be our worst enemy. Our whole damn break could be gone. I'm willing to stay."He's going to grind down us, there's no doubt about it," stated Sen. John Cornyn (R.Texas), of Schumer. I take his word for it. It's going to be difficult."The Senate maintained its normal languid schedule up to late July, even though Biden's agenda appeared to be in balance this spring/summer. Schumers' urgent warning about weekend work and August in D.C.A failed vote was also set up by the New York Democrat two weeks ago. This seemed to ignite a fire under negotiators. The Senate was then kept in session over the weekend to complete the bill. The bipartisan talks appeared most at risk of collapsing during the last two months, when the Senate was absent and lawmakers were scattered throughout the country.Schumer stated that he tried to push negotiators along when needed, and gave them space when they asked for it. Senator Joe Manchin (D.W.Va.), said that Schumer helped push the bipartisan group senators "a little faster" than they would like sometimes but it helped them move forward.Monday was the eighth consecutive day that the Senate has been in session. This streak rivals several 2020 streaks dedicated to massive Covid aid packages being passed and Republicans confirming Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett. The chamber is just beginning to consider the infrastructure bill, and amendments are still to be passed.The Senate is not required to be in session by a deadline. The current calendar of the chamber is run by a majority leader who is aware that time is running out for a united Democratic government to pass its agenda. Senators also value their time away from Washington after a long period of work.The next weekend could be used to grind through the Senate's to do list, Majority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill. said.The case theory is that we will have a lively discussion about the bill and opportunities to amend it. We will eventually reach our conclusion. Durbin stated that the Democrats and at most 10 Republicans will define this time. Durbin was referring to the Senate's 60-vote requirement to end debate on most legislation.Former Sen. Mike Enzi (R.Wyo.) died last week. Another consideration is the death of former Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) The funeral of Enzi will be held Friday in Enzi's home state. If Friday is not possible, the Senate could return this weekend to resume work.The bipartisan infrastructure bill is 2,702 pages. Legislation of this complexity could take several weeks to reach the Senate floor. It takes approximately a week for the budget resolution to be passed, with 50 hours of discussion and the possibility of unlimited amendments.They will need to give people enough time to read the bill, prepare amendments, and hopefully get votes. It will take some time. John Thune, Senate Minority Whip (R-S.D.), said that he doesn't see how this will end at the end. He admitted that senators would get sick of one another pretty quickly.Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell stated that there shouldn't be an artificial timetable used by Democrats to complete the bill and limit amendement consideration. McConnell supports the bipartisan legislation. However, he is channeling the demands of his conference to allow for ample time for amendments.Schumer was faced with an unfinished amendment Monday afternoon and offered a simple but effective warning to senators that they shouldn't wait too long to fight. "The longer it takes for the bill to be finished," he stated, "the longer will we be here."
