U.S. Senate Freezes Vote On $1-Trillion Infra Bill

The US Senate unexpectedly suspended a vote to take up a $1 trillion infrastructure bill on Friday, throwing a new hurdle in front of President Joe Biden's top priority of renovating the nation's roads and bridges, David Morgan and Richard Cowan reported for Reuters.

Photo Insert: Republican Senator John Cornyn

Republican Senator John Cornyn said members of his party were concerned about how it might affect broadband internet rates. The chamber's No. 2 Republican, John Thune, said lawmakers might need to see the actual legislative text of the massive package before they could move forward with the vote. That text was not yet complete, other lawmakers said.

Prior to the delay, supporters from both parties predicted it would ultimately reach Biden's desk to be signed into law.

"We're going to get this baby across the finish line," said Democratic Senator Jon Tester, who was part of a bipartisan group that crafted the bill with the White House over months of negotiations.

Lawmakers from both parties have said the bill shows that Washington is capable of working through sharp partisan differences on a package that would boost the economy and improve the US transportation infrastructure.

Senators were scheduled to work through the weekend on the sweeping plan, which would dramatically increase the nation's spending on roads, bridges, transit, and airports.

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