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- Kyrsten Sinema came out against the $3.5 trillion Democratic spending plan on Wednesday.
- Her opposition will force Democrats to scale back the bill to earn her support.
- She did not specify a new spending amount.
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Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona came out in opposition to the Democratic $3.5 trillion spending blueprint, virtually ensuring her party will be forced to make substantial cuts to get her onboard.
In a statement to the Arizona Republic, the moderate Democrat said while she supported efforts to bolster the country's economic competitiveness in an infrastructure plan, she believed the bill was too large.
"I have also made clear that while I will support beginning this process, I do not support a bill that costs $3.5 trillion – and in the coming months, I will work in good faith to develop this legislation with my colleagues and the administration to strengthen Arizona's economy and help Arizona's everyday families get ahead," she said.
Sinema's opposition will come as a blow to Senate Democrats, who ultimately agreed on a $3.5 trillion spending plan earlier this month. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, chair of the Senate Budget Committee, had pressed for a much larger spending proposal but settled on $3.5 trillion. Earlier on July 28, hopes for the bill were raised as key Republican senators reached agreement with the White House on a bipartisan portion of the bill.
All 50 Senate Democrats must stick together for a reconciliation package to clear the Senate in a simple majority vote. Embarking on the process allows them to circumvent Senate Republicans who are staunchly opposed to it.
Democrats are seeking to stuff many new social initiatives in the reconciliation plan, including a national paid leave program, affordable childcare, prescription drug reform, and another extension of monthly cash payments for parents. Sinema's spike makes cuts to the package likely.