Pramila Jayapal Says 'Votes Aren't There' for Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill

Representative Pramila Jayapal, the leader of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said the "votes aren't there" for the bipartisan infrastructure bill.

Although Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said the House will vote Monday on the bipartisan plan, Japayal, a Washington state Democrat, casted doubt that the vote will happen.

"I don't believe there will be a vote," she said while appearing on CNN Sunday morning. "The Speaker is an incredibly good vote counter, and she knows exactly where her caucus stands. And we've been really clear on that. The votes aren't there."

House Democrats have been working to pass two separate infrastructure bills. The smaller of the bills costs $1.2 trillion and passed the Senate in August with bipartisan support. Nineteen Republicans and every Democrat voted for the bill, which includes funding for roads and bridges, high-speed internet, rail and transit, drinking water upgrades, and other priorities meant to shore up the nation's crumbling infrastructure.

The larger $3.5 trillion bill pushed by progressives contains funding for "human" infrastructure—such as tackling climate change, expanding Medicare and offering free two-year community college.

Nine centrist House Democrats pledged to vote against the budget reconciliation needed to pass the $3.5 trillion bill unless the House first votes for the $1.2 trillion bill. Moderate Senate Democrats Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona have also raised concerns about the larger bill.

However, some progressives have said they would not vote for the $1.2 trillion bill unless the House and Senate approve the $3.5 trillion bill. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a New York progressive Democrat, said last week that she and about 45 progressives would vote against the bill.

Still, Pelosi has set a Monday deadline for a vote on the $1.2 trillion plan. Democrats can afford few defections due to their razor-thin margin in the House. Only a few Republicans—not nearly enough to make up for nearly 50 Democratic "no" votes—have indicated they may vote in support of the bill.

When CNN host Jake Tapper asked Jayapal if an agreement on the reconciliation bill would be enough for House progressives to vote in support of the legislation Monday, Jayapal said there should be an agreement as to what exactly is in the bill, its language, and that every Democrat would vote for it.

She said she hopes the vote comes "as soon as possible," but did not say if she believes there will be a vote this week.

Jayapal said most House Democrats support the larger bill, and that there are only a few people in both chambers who aren't "quite there yet."

"Even moderates in front-line districts all support this 'Build Back Better' agenda," Jayapal said.

The Democrat-led House Budget Committee voted Saturday 20-17 to pass components of the $3.5 trillion bill. One Democrat, Rep. Scott Peters of California, reportedly sided with Republicans against advancing the measure. The bill now heads to the House Rules Committee for expected amendments before the House will vote on it.

Newsweek reached out to Jayapal's and Pelosi's offices for comment Sunday morning but had not heard back by publication. This story will be updated with any response.