Oregon Democratic Senator Ron Wyden says he’s confident Congress will ultimately pass a pair of big-ticket spending bills, despite some curve balls thrown at the plan by a group of moderate Democrats.
The Senate approved a trillion dollar infrastructure package on a bipartisan vote this month. It now awaits action in the House, which is also considering a $3.5 trillion social policy package. Nine House Democrats, including Oregon’s Kurt Schrader, sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying they won’t vote for the policy package unless there first comes a vote on the infrastructure bill. Pelosi says the policy bill has to come first.
Wyden said he wants both measures to pass, and he said ultimately Democrats will line up to support the bills, which are a priority for President Biden.
“The president has made it clear that he feels very strongly about both bills: the physical infrastructure bill and the human needs side of the issue," Wyden told KLCC Friday.
Wyden said the bills address what he calls “bread and butter” issues that will impact all Oregonians.
