Legislation that’s expected to be a key piece of the bipartisan infrastructure package moved forward on Wednesday as Democrats separately fleshed out their reconciliation infrastructure bill.
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday advanced an energy bill that’s expected to be part of the bipartisan infrastructure framework by a 13-7 vote.
Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski
Lisa Ann MurkowskiTrump warns Alaska GOP governor he'll revoke endorsement if he backs Murkowski Conservative women's group backing Murkowski challenger Does anyone like Congress anymore? MORE (Alaska), Steve Daines
Steven (Steve) David DainesOvernight Defense & National Security — No punishments in botched Kabul drone strike Senate Republicans call on Biden to lift vaccine mandate for truckers crossing Canadian border Bill honoring 13 service members killed in Afghanistan heads to Biden's desk MORE (Mont.) and Bill Cassidy
Bill CassidyManchin faces pressure from Gillibrand, other colleagues on paid family leave Overnight Energy & Environment — Presented by ExxonMobil — Biden orders end to overseas coal finance Transformational legislation should be bipartisan again MORE (La.) voted alongside all of the panel’s Democrats in support of the bill.
Last month, the panel held a legislative hearing on an earlier draft of the bill. It has since swelled from 423 pages to 495 pages.
The vote to advance the legislation came after hours of amendments to the energy legislation.
In general, the legislation is expected to boost nuclear energy, hydrogen energy and carbon capture, which uses developing technology to capture emissions from activities such as burning fossil fuels.
It would seek to bolster the electric grid’s resilience to both natural disasters and cyber threats.
The proposal would additionally aim to increase energy efficiency in buildings.
New provisions added in since the first draft include expanded incentives for hydroelectric power, as well as additional provisions aimed at improving Western water infrastructure.
In remarks in support of the bill, Sen. Mark KellyMark KellyThe 10 races that will decide the Senate majority Senate Democrats press for info on nursing home boosters Democrats mull hardball tactics to leapfrog parliamentarian on immigration MORE (D-Ariz.) described the legislation as “an indispensable piece of the larger bipartisan infrastructure package.”
The Senate is expected to advance two separate infrastructure bills: one that includes bipartisan priorities and will pass through regular order, and another for Democratic priorities that goes through a process called budget reconciliation that bypasses the filibuster and just needs a simple majority.
The overall bipartisan framework, which is apparently expected to include the energy bill that was advanced on Wednesday, is expected to cost $1.2 trillion, while the newly announced reconciliation bill carries a $3.5 trillion price tag.
