Oklahoma Delegation Voices Displeasure Over Infrastructure Bill

The U.S. House’s passage Tuesday of a procedural rule allowing both the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill and the $3.5 trillion partisan budget reconciliation package to move forward is not sitting well with members of the Oklahoma delegation who all voted against the measure.

The vote was 220-212 and set a September 27 deadline for taking action on the infrastructure package which has already passed the Senate.

With the margin in the House so close, Democratic leaders were understandably concerned earlier this week when a group of moderate Democrats tried to use their leverage to force separate consideration of the infrastructure bill.

“They want to support the infrastructure package to improve the roads, bridges and highways,” said Rep. Frank Lucas, (R) OK-3. “They wanted to do that first, but the Speaker said ‘You’re going to do it all’, and after several days of political pushing and shoving, Speaker Pelosi has prevailed.”

For Speaker Pelosi and progressive Democrats, passage of the $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation package is the top priority, as it contains the key items in the President's domestic agenda — human infrastructure like expanded child care, free community college and universal pre-K, something Oklahoma already has.

“And I think what this administration is forgetting to think through is where are you going to find the teachers to put in those classrooms?” questioned Rep. Stephanie Bice, (R) OK-5. “This country is already facing a teacher shortage across the board and every subject matter and every grade.”

The budget reconciliation bill will include the budget for next fiscal year, which begins October 1. The House is currently scheduled to return to Washington September 20.

“So they’re setting up for a cram jam or a series of short-term spending bills at the end of September, early in October,” said Rep. Frank Lucas, (R) OK-3. “Speaker Pelosi is very good at forcing her will on her conference - she’s sometimes not quite as smooth at legislating. We’ll see what kind of a situation or mess we have in about a month.”

Each Oklahoma member said what the Democrats are proposing to spend is out of control.

“You can’t spend that kind of money - almost half of our national debt - spend that in one year,” said Rep. Kevin Hern, (R) OK-1, “and not expect there to be inflation.”