[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 130 (Monday, July 26, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S5060]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                             Infrastructure

  Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, now for years, Republicans and 
Democrats have spoken about the need to invest more in our Nation's 
infrastructure. We are a country the size of a continent. Every State 
has critical infrastructure demands, bridges that need repair, railways 
that need maintenance, sewer systems that desperately need expansion 
and renovation.
  Over a month ago now, a bipartisan group of Senators announced a deal 
with the White House on a framework for a bipartisan infrastructure 
bill--a breakthrough moment. Ever since, I have committed both publicly 
and privately to put that bill on the Senate floor.
  Unfortunately, last week, our Republican colleagues prevented the 
Senate from taking a procedural step to begin the debate. But I want to 
be very clear. I am fully committed to passing a bipartisan 
infrastructure bill.
  As majority leader, I have the ability to move to reconsider the vote 
to begin debate on that bill this week. Since Senators are still 
finalizing the text of the agreement, Senators should be on notice that 
the Senate may stay in session through the weekend in order to finish 
the bill.
  Let me say that again. Senators should be on notice that the Senate 
may stay in session through the weekend in order to finish the 
bipartisan infrastructure bill.
  As I have said before, further delays may mean that the Senate will 
remain in session into the previously scheduled August recess.
  We have reached a critical moment. The bipartisan group of Senators 
has had nearly 5 weeks of negotiations since they first announced an 
agreement with President Biden. It is time for everyone to get to 
``yes'' and produce an outcome for the American people.
  I understand that bipartisan achievements are difficult in our 
polarized times. Extreme partisans are always rooting for failure. Look 
no further than the former President.
  Just this morning, former President Trump released a statement urging 
Republicans to retreat from all bipartisan negotiations on 
infrastructure until after the midterm elections in 2022, maybe longer. 
Again, the former President said this morning that Republicans are 
``weak fools and losers''--his words--for even talking to Democrats and 
suggested that the Republicans should not negotiate at all unless they 
are in the majority. FOX News personalities, following his lead, are 
now encouraging primaries for Republican Senators who support a 
bipartisan infrastructure deal.
  Look, there are always going to be radical voices on the far right 
who brook no compromise, but that is only a recipe for obstruction and 
gridlock. We have the opportunity right now to actually accomplish 
something good for the American people.
  Will our Republican colleagues follow the absurd demands of the 
disgraced former President and his media allies, or will they get a 
good, bipartisan deal over the finish line? Republican Senators must 
ignore former President Trump if we are ever going to make progress 
with the American people. He is rooting for our entire political system 
to fail. I and the rest of my Democratic colleagues are rooting for a 
deal.