Democratic whip warns against splitting up Biden’s infrastructure plans

“I hope not. And the reason I hope not is time is not on our side. We have so many things to do,” Durbin told reporters in the Capitol on Monday, ticking off police and immigration reform. “We don’t have a lot of time on the calendar. the sooner the better. Keep everything together and move it it in a package that works.”

Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) have suggested doing an infrastructure bill with GOP support and then pivoting to one with only Democratic priorities, which the party could pass with 50 Democratic votes and Vice President Kamala Harris’s support. That would require lockstep unity and use of budget reconciliation to avoid a GOP filibuster.

Manchin said on CNN Sunday that Biden’s plans “should be separated” and compared a massive $2 trillion-plus package to an omnibus spending bill that would be “very difficult for the public to understand.” Manchin so far opposes reconciliation and prefers negotiation with Republicans.

Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), the No. 4 Democratic leader, said she’s “not going to draw a line in the sand on how to” execute Biden’s agenda. She said whether Democrats decide to go it alone “depends on whether or not the Republicans really want to do something that’s bold and meets the needs of the country right now.”

But many Democrats say Republicans’ $568 billion infrastructure plan is too small. That plan is funded with users fees and unused coronavirus relief money, which Durbin said is “not going to do it.” Biden has pitched funding his plan in part on a higher corporate tax, which Republicans do not support. That leaves the party wrestling with how to move forward as Biden approaches his 100th day in office.

Marianne LeVine contributed to this report.