Let us be clear. Republicans do not want an infrastructure bill at all for two reasons: it will put the final nail in the coffin of their “government spending destroys the economy” mantra they have used (and, official Washington has more-or-less swallowed) for 50 years; and it will make President Biden and Democrats look good going into the next two election cycles with “it’s morning again in America” memes. (Not to mention the opportunity of contrasting Trumpf’s 500,000 dead, as “mourning in America”). A small bill Republicans propose that does not do much, will be not just for window-dreassing but to “prove” government spending does not work.
Moreover, they will not support any tax increase, no-way/no-how, unless it is certain “user fees” that they can then slam Biden for breaking his promise of no tax increase for the bottom 90%.
That has worked for them in the past, but it will not work if Democrats actually pass a real biil. Certain Senators are opposed to specific aspects of it, but one suspects those can be accommodated within the broad Demoratic Party tent. Once real tangible work and progress is made, those voices are ignored.
Once there is a bill that can pass under reconciliation, there is an additional provision that could get 100 (or, say, 94) Senators supporting it. It is rather simple, and works like this:
Once there is a bill, it will be possible to calculate how much each State will receive. The additional provision would provide 100% of what the bill calls for to States both of whose Senators voted for the final bill, 50% of what the bill calls for to States where only one Senator voted for final passage, and zippo for States where neither Senator voted for final passage.
People like Rand Paul (R/TP-KY) and Mike Lee (R/TP-UT) may want to vote “nyet”, but they are both up for re-election. As the economy rises, and potholes are filled in other states, and green energy jobs go to other states, and broadband is expanded in other states, and there is nothing going on in their states, the message will be very clear. Perhaps racism still trumps economic progress, in which case it will not kill their re-election chances.
But, they are taking a YUGE risk to vote “nyet” as businesses in those states will be angry beyond words, and that cannot help but leave an impression on voters. Businesses criticizing Republicans is like L’Osservatore Romano criticizing the Pope.
There is another goal this provision serves. Republicans who vote against spending bills have this “odd” habit of showing up at project launch sites and taking credit for payments to small businesses. It takes a lot of truth-advertising to inform people of the rank hypocrisy and it tends to fizzle anyhow as the fruits of the spending are enjoyed.
I call it “political free-loading”. Republicans cannot govern, but they are master free-loaders.
This provision prevents that. If both Senators vote “nyet”, there are no projects for photo-ops, and if one votes “da”, it will be much easier to slam the other for preventing double the number.
This will, of course, raise a ruckus. But, it is a good ruckus to have. Are you upset at the reduction? We thought you said the spending is ruinous, so it must be good that your State will be “spared” divine destruction. Why the outrage? We thought you did not want it.
Or, you can just say, “da”, and the problem disappears.
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