Huge infrastructure bill backed by Biden passes key hurdle

WASHINGTON: A huge infrastructure bill deemed historic by US President Joe Biden passed a key procedural hurdle on Saturday, with enough Republican senators joining Democrats to make its final passage in the upper chamber appear nearly certain.

The $1.2 trillion bill, designed to fund much-needed upgrades to US roads, highways, bridges and high-speed internet, drew the support of 18 Republican senators and 49 Democrats- a rare instance of bipartisanship in deeply divided Washington.

That Republican support- with the party’s Senate leader Mitch McConnell among the 18 in favor- will end floor debate on the bill, a procedural step that required 60 votes.