Straight from DC: Infrastructure deal, masks recommended in Congress

Jul 28, 2021

By Ben Burke (Editor/Digital Producer)

Straight Arrow News Political Producer Annie Anderson covers the big stories out of the nation’s capitol, including progress on an infrastructure deal, a recommendation for masks in Congress, and Texas Democrats expected to testify in D.C.

The Senate voted Wednesday night to start work on a nearly $1 trillion infrastructure package.

The vote came after lead GOP negotiator Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio announced the bipartisan group’s agreement earlier in the day. “We now have an agreement on the major issues. We are prepared to move forward,” Sen. Portman said.

The deal, a welcome sign on both side of the aisle. “We have not made a major investment in the infrastructure the United States of America for the last 30 years, first time,” Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin said. “And when you see the bipartisanship here, bipartisanship is built because relationships, relationships are built when there’s trust, and the more we continue to do things such as this, the more you’ll see more bipartisanship.”

Another similarity between both sides of the aisle: They’re both being asked to wear a mask on Capitol Hill.

Congress’ chief physician urged lawmakers to resume wearing masks Wednesday to slow the spread of the Delta variant.

Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and many of his fellow Republicans refused to mask up. “Make no mistake—The threat of bringing masks back is not a decision based on science, but a decision conjured up by liberal government officials who want to continue to live in a perpetual pandemic state,” McCarthy said in a tweet.

The physician’s recommendation comes a day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said vaccinated people should wear masks indoors in areas of substantial or high COVID-19 transmission.

It also comes a day before the over 50 Texas state representatives who left their state legislature in the middle of a faceoff over voting rights were expected on Capitol Hill.

The Democratic representatives were set testify at the civil rights and civil liberties subcommittee meeting. Six of the representatives have tested positive for COVID-19 since arriving in Washington.

Tags: Pandemic

Annie AndersenL Overwhelmed by everything happening AT THE CAPITOL?

THE JANUARY 6TH INVESTIGATIONS ARE TAKING CENTER STAGE, BUT THERE ARE OTHER ITEMS TO KEEP AN EYE ON.

FIRST, LET’S LOOK AT THE LATEST ON INFRASTRUCTURE.

I know, I know… you’ve heard it before..

But Wednesday morning Ohio Republican Senator Rob Portman said quote “We now have an agreement on the major issues. We are prepared to move forward.”

It has a $1 trillion dollar price tag.

That’s ABOUT HALF OF WHAT Democrats originally wanted… BUT THE LATEST REASONING IS TO CREATE a smaller bipartisan bill and then leave the rest up to reconciliation… where members can- with just a simple majority- rearrange the budget.

The senate held a procedural vote Wednesday… but IT DOESN’T LOOK LIKE THE HOUSE WILL ADDRESS IT ANYTIME SOON. Speaker Nancy Pelosi SAYS she won’t be bringing it to a vote in her chamber without more money coming later.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA): “Our chairman of our committee with jurisdiction is saying we’d like to see it and perhaps we may have to have some discussion about it. But I can’t commit to passing something that I don’t even know what it is yet, but I’m hoping for the best.”

Reporter: “You still won’t put it on the floor until reconciliation passes the senate?”

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA): “Yes”

Annie Andersen: What else am I keeping an eye on? Talk about a pun.. MASKS ARE BACK so Eyes will be the only thing SHOWING ON FACES at the Capitol.

The Capitol PHYSICIAN said all members OF CONGRESS SHOULD wear a mask inside.. But then went even further when it comes to House members, REQUIRING them in various settings.

Not everybody is happy about masking up again..Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy Tweeted, Make no mistake—The threat of bringing masks back is not a decision based on science, but a decision conjured up by liberal government officials who want to continue to live in a perpetual pandemic state.

Speaker Pelosi Wednesday announced her support for this… saying the doctor is following the science.

That means tomorrow.. When the Texas STATE House Democrats testify before the House oversight committee, we’ll be seeing lots of masks.

Talk about a segway, right? NUMBER THREE.

Thursday MORNING- some of the 50 texas STATE house democrats who came to washington d.c. a few weeks ago will speak at the civil rights and civil liberties subcommittee meeting.

They’ll be talking about voting rights.

The 50 democrats came to dc to break quorum at the texas state house after Texas Republicans called a special session to address their new voting rights bill.

Republicans say this is to protect voters and our elections, but Democrats say its a way to keep people from heading to the polls.

Those are three things TO KEEP AN EYE ON STRAIGHT FROM D.C.