Incoming Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said he’s on board with Trump’s proposal for a massive $1 trillion infrastructure bill, according to a report from Politico.
Schumer might be more aligned with Trump on the infrastructure plan than Republican leaders who have warned against the infrastructure bill’s price tag – and appears eager to exploit those tensions.
Schumer made the comments during an interview on Jon Karl’s and Rick Klein’s “Powerhouse Politics” podcast.
“We think it should be large,” Schumer said according to a write up from Politico. “He’s mentioned a trillion dollars. I told him that sounded good to me.”
The infrastructure bill may be a place where Schumer’s and Trump’s visions align more than Trump’s and his own party’s do. HIllary Clinton’s proposed infrastructure plan was far less expansive than Trump’s.
McConnell told reporters earlier this month that “I hope we avoid a trillion-dollar stimulus.”
Washington is watching Schumer closely to see what deals he may be able to broker with the new president. Schumer said on the podcast he plans to be judicious, but isn’t going to be blocking any pieces of legislation just because they are coming from Trump.
“We’re not going to oppose something simply because it has the name Trump on it, but we will certainly not sacrifice our principles just to get something done,” Schumer said.
“Please, please don’t throw me in that briar patch!” I am distrustful of Schumer, and he’s clearly not admitting that the so-called infrastructure plan is just another sop to Trump’s rich friends. I miss Harry Reid already, but Schumer is smart enough to count votes and know which side his bread is buttered. He’s just a bit too friendly with Wall Street and the DNC “centrists” for my tastes. We shall see, let’s swear in a new Congress and inaugurate the man least-qualified to hold the office of President since James Buchanan before we start celebrating.
There is no infrastructure plan. It’s as real as the wall.
And it would be easy to fund. The last lime the Federal gas tax was raised (1993!) it was 10-15% of the price of a gallon of gas, depending on your locale.
Either raise the tax to keep up with inflation since 1993 or convert it to 15% of the price of a gallon.
The gas tax also has the advantage of being simple and easy to collect.
Which is probably why this will not happen.
I’m guessing the plan is to use eminent domain to hand property over to his real estate friends.
I do not trust Schumer. Period.