Axios reporting GOP will delay infrastructure bill till next year, use it against Dems in midterms

[highplainsdem]

https://www.axios.com/the-backup-plan-on-trumps-infrastructure-package-2280024749.html

The Capitol Hill calendar is way overstuffed — a Supreme Court nomination, plus Obamacare repeal legislation; tax reform; and budget, spending and debt-ceiling fights, including a possible showdown over a government shutdown.

So Republican sources tell us that a backup plan is emerging for one of Trump's top priorities:

The plan: Push off until next year any consideration of the massive infrastructure plan Trump wants to push for roads, airports and other big projects, giving Republican lawmakers more breathing room amid a crowd of issues that'll require massive effort, time and political capital.

The politics: Republican strategists say that Democrats, who'll be reluctant to give Trump a win, will be in a jam as midterm elections close in: They'll be under huge pressure to support big projects that'll bring money and improvements to their districts. And blue-collar unions, including construction and building trades, can be expected to favor of the package, driving a wedge into the Democratic base.

-snip-

[Eliot Rosewater]

1. It is a give away to his pals, who will give him kickbacks, any improvement in our

infrastructure will be accompanied with privately owned bridges, highways and so on, requiring citizens to pay tolls to corporations.


Nothing Trump will do will benefit citizens, nothing. Everything Trump does will harm average citizens. Everything.

[nikibatts]

2. That's ok. Democrats need to get out in front of this and tell the town halls what the GOP is

planning. These people are ready to hear about the back-door scheming that is going on. Don't let them get away with it.

[Lanius]

3. Party before country. I'm not surprised.

And, really, how far will the Republicans in Congress go along with a huge infrastructure plan? They might support some projects if it means funneling taxpayer money to private contractors who support Republicans, but I can't see them getting behind an expensive, nationwide infrastructure project, especially if it involves progressive cities and states.