Congress returned this week but it was slow on plotting next steps on the big issue of infrastructure and corporate taxes. On the sidelines of Congress there have been a few discussions continuing the elusive effort to find a bipartisan way forward on infrastructure.

Delaware Senator Chris Coons, who is very close to President Biden, floated the idea of breaking the infrastructure package into two baskets: one the more traditional definition of infrastructure and a second that might include ideas from progressive Democrats such as housing and childcare facilities. The thought is that the more traditional roads and bridges could get bipartisan support and pass under regular order; while the new ideas related to social structure would be hammered out among Democrats and considered under the narrower Budget Reconciliation process.

While the idea has not been widely embraced, it has also not been immediately rejected. For many Democrats it would increase the chances that at least some large infrastructure bill would be approved even if some of the ideas on the progressive agenda have to wait. The more progressive ideas were always going to have a problem getting the support of the moderate Democrats led by West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin, and a two-tier approach could delive...

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