Senate Republicans are about to hand President Biden a huge political victory by voting for a historic $1 trillion infrastructure package that the president can then tout as fulfilling a campaign pledge to restore bipartisanship in Washington.
GOP senators and aides predict as many as 20 Republicans — twice the number needed to avoid a filibuster — could vote for the legislation, which would provide the most funding in decades for roads, airports, railroads, drinking water and other priorities.
“I think everybody pretty much knows what they’re going to do. I think some people are trying to get to yes,” said a Republican senator who helped craft the legislation that was unveiled on Sunday. “So my prediction is 20.”
The legislation needs 60 votes to overcome a filibuster and make it to final passage, meaning no more than 10 Republicans are needed.
But 17 Republicans voted last week to begin debate on the bill, and at least that many are now expected to support the measure on final passage.
All 50 members of the Senate Democratic Caucus are expected to vote for the legislation.
Republican lawmakers insisted at the start of the debate that the entire package be paid for with various offsets. But as the massive bill nears the finish line, GOP senators say they are willing to support it, even if the Congressional Budget Office says it will add to the federal deficit.
Senate Republicans acknowledge the legislation is a political win for Biden, though they also see it as a win for themselves. They say it will give GOP senators something to campaign on for the 2022 midterm elections, when Republicans are looking to win back the Senate majority.
Senate Republican Whip John Thune (S.D.) said the need to deliver for constituents outweighs the more abstract political calculations over how much the bill might help Biden.
