Dem says infrastructure ‘only major’ issue where both parties can get a deal

Rep. Harley Rouda (D-Calif.) said on Friday that infrastructure may be the only issue on which Republicans and Democrats can come together to pass legislation.

“This is probably the only major piece of legislation that we will be able to see both parties come together and make sure that happens,” Rouda told Hill.TV’s Kyrstal Ball and Saagar Enjeti on “Rising.” 

“My hope also is that the president takes the recommendations of the committee, and Congress in general, and not try to throw monkey wrenches into it, and again, follows our lead,” he continued. 

Rouda appeared on Hill.TV alongside Rep. Rob Woodall (R-Ga.). Both lawmakers sit on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. 

Democrats and President Trump have been at odds over the fallout from special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia probe and a number of House investigations into the administration. Despite those divisions, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) say they will work with Trump toward a $2 trillion infrastructure package. The two are slated to meet with Trump again next week.

Republican lawmakers have doubts about the package, in particular how to pay for it without raising taxes. Woodall, though, said he was optimistic.

“The chances that Harley and I can come together on a plan are a hundred percent,” Woodall told Hill.TV. “We need White House leadership and that is what the president is providing, and we need House and Senate leadership, and that’s what Nancy Pelosi did when she went down to the White House to partner.” 

— Julia Manchester


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