Authors: KEVIN FREKING and LISA MASCARO

Washington (Associated Press)-Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said on Sunday that a vote on the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill could be held “within a few days” as negotiators are scrambling to complete it. legislation.

Schumer said at the start of the rare Sunday meeting that the text of the bill would be published “immediately.”

Senators and staff members have been working hard behind the scenes for several days to write what will surely become a huge piece of legislation. The early draft was over 2,500 pages. In order to promote this work, Schumer kept senators involved over the weekend and encouraged the authors of the bipartisan infrastructure plan to complete the drafting of the bill so that the senators could begin to propose amendments.

Two negotiators said Sunday morning that action may be taken soon. Maine Senator Susan Collins said on CNN: “We are really almost over.” Senator DW.Va. Joe Manchin said on CNN, “There may be texts today and tonight. Hope we can start this process. .” Like Schumer, both said that the bill may be completed this week.

After a few days of delay, these predictions are a familiar adverb. Several senators have stated that the text of the bill will be ready for review later on Friday or early Saturday, but it is not ready for submission when Schumer closes on Saturday night.

“They need a little more time,” Schumer said. “I am going to give them.”

Majority leader Schumer said he understands that completing the preparation of such a huge bill is a difficult task, but he warned on Saturday that as long as the vote on the bipartisan infrastructure is completed, he is ready to let lawmakers stay in Washington. The plan and budget blueprint will enable the Senate to begin enacting a $3.5 trillion social, health, and environmental bill later this year.

“The longer it takes to complete, the longer we will be here, but we will get the job done,” he said.

The bipartisan plan-a key part of President Joe Biden’s agenda-calls for an increase of $550 billion in new spending over five years, exceeding the expected federal level. Its funding sources may not be able to meet the demands of the deficit hawks, including reusing untapped COVID-19 relief aid and relying on projected future economic growth.

Major investments include US$110 billion for roads and bridges, US$39 billion for public transportation, and US$66 billion for railways. There is also $55 billion for water supply and sewage treatment infrastructure, and billions of dollars for airports, ports, broadband Internet and electric vehicle charging stations.

On Friday, a bipartisan group of senators helped it clear another obstacle and was ready to see if it could gain support in the debate and efforts to revise it in the next few days.

Schumer hopes to end voting before the senator adjourns in August. He said that once the legislative text is finalized, he will review it and use it as a substitute for the shell bill currently before the House of Representatives. Then, the senator can start voting on the amendment.

“We may need the weekend, and we may vote on several amendments, but with the cooperation of our Republican colleagues, I believe we can complete the bipartisan infrastructure bill within a few days,” Schumer said on Friday night.

The results of the joint efforts of the two parties will lay the foundation for the next debate on Biden’s ambitious $3.5 trillion spending plan, a strictly partisan pursuit of far-reaching programs and services, including childcare, tax relief, and healthcare , These plans and services have reached almost every corner of the United States. American life. Republicans strongly oppose the bill, which requires a simple majority and may try to prevent both.

Senator John Corning, Republican of Texas, predicted: “This will be an ordeal.”

Earlier this week, 17 Republican senators voted together with all Democrats to begin the debate, starting the bipartisan bill review process for several days. In another procedural vote on Friday, this support was basically supported, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) voted again to advance the process.

In the next few days, whether the number of Republican senators willing to pass the bill increases or decreases will determine whether the president’s signature issue can be passed smoothly.

Cornyn said he hoped that Schumer would give all senators the opportunity to enact bills and allow members of both parties to make amendments.

“I am very disappointed. Senator Shu acquiesced that we should try to force us to vote on an incomplete bill, but I hope we can step on the brakes a little now and take time and attention to evaluate the benefits and costs of this legislation. “Conin said.

Virginia Democratic Senator Mark Warner said on Saturday that negotiators are finalizing the final few items, but he did not predict when the senators will be ready for amendments and debates.

“There is some feeling, um, infrastructure. It shouldn’t be difficult to do. If it’s not difficult to do, why does it take 30 years to get to this moment?” Warner said.

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Associated Press writer Mary Claire Jaronick contributed to this report.