Sen. Tim Kaine will take steps to strip a new natural gas pipeline project from a bipartisan bill to raise the debt ceiling, his office said Monday—one of several scenarios that could derail the newly announced legislation as party leaders scramble to secure votes to pass it before the country defaults on its debt as soon as June 5.... [+]Copyright 2022 the Associated Press.
Kaine’s push for an amendment is one of several hurdles that could complicate, delay or even change the math for the bill in the Democratic-controlled Senate—where it needs 60 votes to clear a filibuster threshold—before it heads to President Joe Biden’s desk for final approval. Sen.
Left- and right-wing members in their respective parties are also likely to oppose the legislation when it comes to the GOP-controlled House floor for a formal vote, which is expected to happen Wednesday, meaning moderate Democrats and Republicans must join together to pass the bill in a narrowly divided House before it can move to the Senate, then Biden’s desk.The legislation needs 218 votes to pass the House.