Business groups aim to divide Democrats on $3.5T spending bill 

Business lobbyists are increasingly optimistic that they can water down tax hikes and other measures in Democrats’ $3.5 trillion spending plan opposed by corporate America. Last week an agreement was struck between Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and 10 centrist House Democrats that ensures a Sept. 27 vote on the bipartisan $1 trillion infrastructure bill passed by the Senate earlier this month. By agreeing to a standalone vote, Pelosi softened her stance that both bills must be passed together, a priority for progressives in her caucus. Business groups see that as a huge win, believing that progressives will lose some leverage over components of the reconciliation package if the House passes the $1 trillion infrastructure bill first. U.S. corporations broadly support the bipartisan bill that would create new spending on roads, bridges, broadband and water without raising taxes on businesses. But they oppose the tax hikes that would pay for the $3.5 trillion party-line proposal, which would ramp up spending on child care, education and climate change mitigation. … (Excerpts from the The Hill)