Staff Report

WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Sen. Todd Young, who originally supported a $1 trillion infrastructure bill, joined Indiana’s other senator, Mike Braun, in opposing the final version.

The legislation moved through the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, Aug.10, on a 69-30 vote that included support from all Democrats.

The bill, viewed as the largest infrastructure plan set forth in decades, now goes to the House of Representatives where it is expected to eventually pass before heading to President Joe Biden for his signature.

Young worked for months with colleagues toward shaping the bipartisan bill before announcing his opposition early Tuesday before the vote.

“As I’ve said many times, while I’m eager for a bill that makes these investments, I’m also committed to doing so in a fiscally responsible way. Having reviewed the Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) estimated fiscal impact of this legislation as currently constructed, and frankly still not being comfortable with a number of the Democratic priorities contained in this version, I will vote ‘no,’ ” he said.

Young said he intends to continue working with colleagues to improve the bill “in hopes that the final product will be one I can support because I sincerely believe we must address our nation’s infrastructure needs.”

Braun issued a statement last week announcing his opposition.

“First independent analysis from Penn-Wharton found the bipartisan infrastructure bill would put us $350 billion in the hole, and now the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office has found it would produce a $256 billion deficit,” Braun said. “Even setting aside these estimates it is clear the pay-fors in this package are either phony or insufficient, and this bill is full of K street carve-outs, kickbacks, and pork. Republicans must not support the Swamp’s bloated debt bomb parading as an infrastructure deal.”