House Democrats are writing a $1.5 trillion infrastructure bill that would fund everything from education to rural broadband to clean water, with an eye toward charting the path toward a green recovery from the pandemic. POLITICO’s Kathryn A. Wolfe reports that Democrats appear to be building from the $494 billion transportation bill making its way through the chamber and hope to have a full package passed before the July 4 recess. It also will include $70 billion for “clean energy,” $25 billion for drinking water programs, $35 billion for health care infrastructure and $100 billion for broadband, House Energy and Commerce Chair Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) told reporters. The legislation is also expected to contain $1 billion for climate resiliency upgrades to public housing, among other programs in that area.
The bill is likely to encounter resistance from the President Donald Trump and Senate Republicans, as past Democratic proposals have. But Speaker Nancy Pelosi projected optimism at a press conference Thursday. “When people see the legislation, and people see how it does affect their areas — this is not just a matter of transportation, it’s a matter of clean air, clean water,” Pelosi said. “So, we think that this will be nonpartisan, very bipartisan, and we look forward to working together — House and Senate, Democrats and Republicans, and the White House.”