U.S. Senate votes to start work on $1T infrastructure bill

UPDATE: WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Senate has voted to start work on a nearly $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package.

The vote came together quickly Wednesday after President Joe Biden and a group of senators reached agreement on a key part of the White House agenda.

But it’s unclear if enough senators will eventually support final passage. The process ahead could take days.

The outcome will set the stage for the next debate in the months ahead over Biden’s much more ambitious $3.5 trillion spending package, which includes child care, tax breaks and health care.

The $1 trillion package would be partly paid for by repurposing unspent Covid-19 relief aid.

ORIGINAL REPORT: WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Senate Republicans negotiating a $1 trillion infrastructure bill with Democrats say they have reached agreement on the major outstanding issues and are ready to take up the bill.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has announced a possible test vote that could come as soon as Wednesday evening.

The infrastructure bill is a key part of President Joe Biden’s agenda.

The outcome will set the stage for the next debate over Biden’s much more ambitious $3.5 trillion spending package, which includes child care, tax breaks and health care.

The Republican senators met Wednesday morning with Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, who appears to have given his nod to proceed to consider the emerging legislation.