Golden Statement on Delayed Vote on Bipartisan Infrastructure Package

Statement

WASHINGTON -- After four days of delays beyond the September 27th date she had publicly committed to, Speaker Pelosi announced late last night that she would again delay a vote on the bipartisan infrastructure package passed by the Senate in August.

Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) , who helped develop the bipartisan infrastructure framework the legislation is based on and has been fighting for a timely, standalone vote on the package, released the following statement:

"Last month, Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer made a firm, public commitment to members of Congress and the American people to hold a vote on the bipartisan infrastructure bill on or before September 27. That agreement was sealed with the vote of every Democrat in the House that put the commitment in writing. This week, they broke that agreement and their word, and in so doing have deeply eroded any credibility or trust they had with me.

"The double-dealing I have seen in Washington over the past few months is not worthy of trust. Moving forward, it will be difficult for me to take leadership at their word or to believe that they will adhere to any commitment they make to me or others.

"To those of you who insist that the infrastructure bill is "linked' to the reconciliation bill, let me be clear that I have never agreed, nor would I ever agree, to trade my vote for one bill in exchange for your vote on the other. The infrastructure bill should be voted on now and on its own merits. The president's proposed Build Back Better legislation should be voted on separately and on its own merits. Only those who are unwilling to compromise and build consensus, or who lack confidence in their own proposal, would try to leverage one in order to secure the other.

"Going forward, I will continue to support the bipartisan infrastructure bill that garnered the support of 69 senators, including Senators Collins and King. I will also engage in good faith discussions about the rest of the president's agenda, but I will not make a commitment to support any reconciliation bill without first seeing the final text so that I know what is in it, how it will be paid for, and how it will be implemented. Only then will I decide whether or not I believe that the collective proposal is in the best interest of my constituents and the country." - Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)

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