On August 10, 2021, the Senate passed a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill, called the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, in a 69-30 vote with the support of 19 Republicans.[1] The bill includes $73 billion in grid modernization and $7.5 billion for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The bill now needs to pass the House. Following the passage of the infrastructure bill, the Senate passed a $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation package early on August 11, 2021, in a 50-49 vote before the chamber adjourned for summer recess.[2] Budget reconciliation is a special process to make legislation easier to pass in the Senate.[3] Instead of 60 votes to pass, reconciliation bills only need a simple majority. According to a summary released by Senate Democrats, the reconciliation package includes a clean electricity payment program, a clean energy technology accelerator, consumer rebates for electrification, and clean energy tax credits.[4]

[1] https://www.npr.org/2021/08/10/1026081880/senate-passes-bipartisan-infrastructure-bill

[2] https://www.npr.org/2021/07/14/1016052307/democrats-budget-deal-would-invest-in-the-child-tax-credit-health-care-and-clima

[3] Budget reconciliation is set up to expedite the passage of certain budgetary legislation, specifically spending, revenue, and the federal debt limit. Only policies that change these categories can be included. In contrast to most other legislation, senators cannot use the filibuster to prevent consideration of a reconciliation bill. Once passed in the Senate, the bill goes to the House where typical rules still apply.

[4] https://www.democrats.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/MEMORANDUM%20for%20Democratic%20Senators%20-%20FY2022%20Budget%20Resolution.pdf