Infrastructure breakthrough marks victory for political center | TheHill

The bipartisan agreement is already facing pushback from both sides of the aisle.Some Republicans warn that Biden’s threat to not sign the bill unless a larger package is passed through special budgetary rules sidestepping the filibuster is a “dealbreaker.”Progressives want an “iron-clad” commitment that the bipartisan package won’t become law unless the sweeping Democratic-only bill has a clear path to Biden’s desk.“The challenge now is to make sure the rest of our caucus on the Democratic side and the Republican caucus know what's in this bill and can join us on supporting it,” said Sen. Jeanne ShaheenCynthia (Jeanne) Jeanne ShaheenWhite House advisers huddle with Senate moderates on infrastructure Centrists gain foothold in infrastructure talks; cyber attacks at center of Biden-Putin meeting Biden struggles to detail post-withdrawal Afghanistan plans MORE (D-N.H.), who acknowledged the challenge ahead. Sen. Jon TesterJonathan (Jon) TesterWhite House digs in as infrastructure talks stall White House advisers huddle with Senate moderates on infrastructure Biden risks break with progressives on infrastructure MORE (D-Mont.) quipped that the agreement helped show that “we're not just, you know, a hot mess here.” The breakthrough came after a cycle of closed-door meetings that rotated between Portman’s basement hideaway, meeting rooms in the Capitol and Sinema’s Hart office, where staffers were frequently spotted bringing in water and boxes of pizza.Even though the meetings jumped into the spotlight in recent weeks, senators have quietly been at work for months including when Biden was still negotiating with Sen. Shelley Moore CapitoShelley Wellons Moore CapitoInfrastructure package scales down Biden climate investments Biden announces bipartisan deal on infrastructure Senators say White House aides agreed to infrastructure 'framework' MORE (R-W.Va.).