Democrats plot a path forward on infrastructure ? with or without Republicans

Still, it could pave the way for them to send a major piece of legislation to his desk.And in seeking a bill that would require the support of all 50 Democratic-aligned senators, the party faces a major test of whether it can keep its whole caucus in line.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., told reporters that he will convene a meeting Wednesday of Budget Committee members to discuss crafting a budget resolution — the only way Democrats can bypass a Republican filibuster — to vote on in July.He said bipartisan talks would continue to try to find a deal with Republicans."One track is bipartisan, and the second track pulls in other elements of Biden's American Job Plan and American Families Plan, which will be considered even if it doesn't have bipartisan support," Schumer said.The two most conservative Democrats haven't said how they would vote, but they notably kept the door open to Schumer's two-track approach."I'd like to make sure that both of them get a fair look," said Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va.A spokesperson for Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., said she is still talking with colleagues and the administration about the way forward but didn't rule out a partisan bill: "Kyrsten will give careful consideration to any idea that can strength Arizona's economy."Manchin and Sinema are part of the bipartisan group of 10 senators trying to negotiate a $579 billion agreement to fund physical infrastructure projects.Some progressives, including Senate Budget Committee Chair Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., also drew hard lines this week, saying they wouldn't vote for a bill that excludes priorities like mitigating climate change."There's a strong sentiment within the caucus that the bipartisan bill and a reconciliation bill has to be chained together with a lock that cannot be broken," Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., told reporters.