Thread by @ChadPergram

1) The Hitchhiker’s Guide to How Biden/Democrats Will Sidestep a Filibuster for Infrastructure Package

President Biden and Congressional Democrats have spoken about again using the budget reconciliation process to advance the infrastructure package and avoid a Senate filibuster.

2) This would sidestep the dual requirement to get 60 votes to begin debate on such a bill and 60 votes to conclude debate in the Senate. 

However, reconciliation limits Senate debate and the amendment process.

3) Heretofore, it was believed that two reconciliation options were available in a two-year Congress. Two fiscal years. Two budgets. Two prospective reconciliation vehicles. However Democrats are tinkering with the idea or breaking up the infrastructure plan into multiple parts.

4) A provision is buried in the Budget Act of 1974 which potentially allows lawmakers to revisit previous reconciliation measures. So, will likely use and a second reconciliation plan for infrastructure.

5) And then, Democrats COULD use that reconciliation vehicle or the one they deployed for the $1.9 trillion coronavirus bill for triple or quadruple dips for infrastructure  - and avoid a filibuster throughout the entire process.

6) Such a gambit is unprecedented. And, it may not even be parliamentarily possible. 

But Democrats are stymied in their efforts to ditch the legislative filibuster for other key policy priorities. And that’s why they may go this route.

7) Multiple uses of reconciliation is a means to an end for Democrats to pass key fiscal bills prospectively sidetracked by a filibuster.

8) However, it’s highly unlikely Democrats could use reconciliation for other key policy initiatives such as DC statehood, immigration reform and gun control.