Originally published on August 17, 2021 for NAIOP E-Newsletter.
The Senate last week passed the INVEST in America Act (H.R. 3684), a bipartisan infrastructure package that had been backed by the White House, by a vote of 69-30. The spirit of bipartisanship was short-lived, however, as Senate Democrats moved quickly to pass a $3.5 trillion budget resolution (S. Con. Res. 14) by a vote of 59-49, with all Republicans present voting in opposition. Adoption of a budget resolution is the first step in developing budget reconciliation legislation that could pass the Senate with a simple majority and not be subject to a Senate filibuster that would require 60 votes to overcome. Senate Democrats, who control 50 votes, can pass legislation since Vice President Kamala Harris casts the tie-breaking vote under the U.S. Constitution.