How Washington Now Works

<p>On Tuesday, the United States Senate approved a $1 trillion infrastructure bill — the largest single infusion of federal funds into infrastructure projects in more than a decade. It was a bipartisan vote, with 19 Republicans voting alongside the Democrats. </p><p>Soon after, the Senate passed a more expansive budget plan  — this time along party lines. </p><p>What do these two votes tell us about how Washington is working today?</p><p>Guest: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/emily-cochrane?smid=pc-thedaily">Emily Cochrane</a>, a reporter covering Congress for The New York Times. </p><p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/newsletters/signup/NTTD?smid=pc-thedaily">Sign up here</a> to get The Daily in your inbox each morning. And for an exclusive look at how the biggest stories on our show come together, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/newsletters/the-daily?module=inline">subscribe to our newsletter</a>. </p><p>Background reading: </p><ul><li>Approval for the $1 trillion infrastructure bill came after months of negotiations and despite deficit concerns, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/10/us/politics/infrastructure-bill-passes.html?smid=pc-thedaily">reflecting an appetite in both parties for the long-awaited spending package</a>.</li><li>The blueprint for a $3.5 trillion budget, with scope to expand health care, provide free preschool and community college and fund climate change programs, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/11/us/politics/senate-budget-plan.html?smid=pc-thedaily">passed along party lines and faces an arduous path ahead</a>.</li></ul><p>For more information on today’s episode, visit <a href="http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily">nytimes.com/thedaily</a>. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. </p>