Key centrist Tester will vote to proceed to $3.5T budget deal

Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), a key Senate centrist, said Wednesday he will vote to proceed to a budget resolution that includes a $3.5 trillion spending target for President Biden’s priorities.

“The price tag is a lot of money but it doesn’t scare me, it’s just how it’s being spent. There are plenty of needs out there, we just have to figure out how it’s being spent,” he said.

Asked if he would vote for the Senate budget resolution, Tester said: “I’m going to vote to proceed on the $3.5 [trillion] then we’ve got to get more meat on the bones on how it’s being spent.”

Tester’s support for taking up the budget deal is a win for Biden who will meet with Senate Democrats at lunch Wednesday to sell his infrastructure agenda.

Earlier in the day, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), another pivotal centrist, said he’s open to the $3.5 trillion budget deal announced by Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Budget Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Tuesday evening.

“We’re anxious to basically review it. They worked hard on it, we want to see it. Also I’ve been very clear that I want to see the pay-fors and make sure that whatever we do is globally competitive,” Manchin told reporters Wednesday.

“I’m open to looking at everything they provide. OK? They’re going to have to provide all the information that’s going to be needed,” he added. “They worked hard, they should have a proposal.”

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), another important centrist who is leading discussions on a scaled-down bipartisan infrastructure package, which would cost $1.2 trillion over eight years, is reviewing the new Senate Democratic budget deal.

“Kyrsten is committed to working with her colleagues and the administration on ways to create jobs and expand economic opportunities in Arizona and communities across the country. Those conversations are ongoing and she will give careful consideration to any idea that can strengthen Arizona’s economy and help Arizona families get ahead,” said a spokesman for her office.

Sinema will be reviewing the substance of the budget proposal, the details of which had yet to be shared with her office as of Wednesday morning.