U.S. Condemns South Africa’s Expulsion of Israeli Diplomat Amid Rising Diplomatic Tensions 
Trump Extends AGOA Trade Program for Africa Through 2026, Supporting Jobs and U.S.-Africa Trade 
Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration Move to End TPS for Haitian Immigrants 
Trump, Petro Discuss Sanctions and Strengthening U.S.–Colombia Relations After Oval Office Meeting 
Zelenskiy Awaits U.S. Response After Russian Strikes Damage Ukraine’s Energy Infrastructure 
Stephen Miran Resigns as White House Economic Adviser Amid Federal Reserve Tenure 
UN Peacekeepers to Deploy Ceasefire Monitoring Team to Eastern Congo After Doha Talks 
Medvedev Warns World Is Growing More Dangerous but Says Russia Seeks to Avoid Global Conflict 
Cuba and U.S. Resume Limited Diplomatic Communications Amid Rising Tensions 
Trump Calls for “Nationalizing” Voting, Drawing Backlash Over Election Authority 
U.S.-Iran Nuclear Talks Expected in Oman Following Venue Change Request 
Russian Missile and Drone Attacks Hit Kyiv and Other Ukrainian Cities, Causing Widespread Damage 
Trump Announces U.S.–India Trade Deal Cutting Tariffs, Boosting Markets and Energy Ties 
Russia Prepares for Post–New START Era as U.S.-Russia Nuclear Arms Control Nears Collapse 
Russia Warns Foreign Troop Deployment in Ukraine Would Be Treated as Legitimate Military Targets 
Australian Scandium Project Backed by Richard Friedland Poised to Support U.S. Critical Minerals Stockpile 
Costa Rica Election: Laura Fernandez Wins Presidency as PPSO Secures Congressional Majority 
The House has originally set the date to the end of September to vote on the $1.2 bipartisan infrastructure bill. However, as negotiations continue regarding the $3.5 trillion social infrastructure bill, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi set a new deadline for the House to vote on the bipartisan proposal.
Over the weekend, Pelosi released a “Dear Colleague” letter, informing members of her caucus that the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill would be voted on by October 31. Pelosi explained that more time was needed to be able to pass both the $1.2 trillion proposal and the $3.5 trillion bill following Democratic lawmakers’ scrambling to get more votes. This signals a walk back from her promise to the moderate House Democrats to immediately get a vote on the bipartisan proposal that has already passed the Senate.
Pelosi’s deadline of October 31 also marks the day of the 30-day reauthorization of federal highway programs’ expiration. The House passed the extension Friday last week as rifts remain within the Democratic Party regarding the budget resolution.
“There is an October 31st Surface Transportation Authorization deadline after last night’s passage of a critical 30-day extension,” said Pelosi in the letter. “We must pass BIF well before then -- the sooner the better, to get the jobs out there.”
Pelosi also acknowledged the rift between moderate Democrats and progressive Democrats in the letter, saying that she would not bring both bills on the House floor to fail.
Moderate Democrats have asked to immediately vote on the $1.2 trillion bill, threatening to oppose the reconciliation bill if no action was taken. At the same time, progressive House Democrats have threatened to vote against the bipartisan infrastructure proposal if the reconciliation bill is not passed as well. US President Joe Biden visited members of his party last week in order to ease tensions between the two factions of the party.
Both bills represent the bulk of Biden’s agenda. During the weekly press conference last week, Pelosi commented on what the two proposals would mean to her career. “I just told members of my leadership the reconciliation bill will be the culmination of my service in Congress,” said the California Democrat, whose time as House Speaker may be winding down, having previously said that 2020 would be her last term as the House Democratic leader.
