'Blindsided' GOP senators put infrastructure deal in doubt

Republican senators are being described as livid and “blindsided” over President Joe Biden’s refusal to sign a bipartisan infrastructure deal unless he also gets passage of his broader priorities

WASHINGTON -- Livid and “blindsided” over President Joe Biden’s refusal to sign a bipartisan infrastructure deal without passage of his broader priorities, Republican senators Friday were frantically considering options as the future of the sweeping compromise appeared in doubt. The rare accord faced new uncertainty barely 24 hours after Biden strode to the White House driveway and was flanked by 10 senators from a bipartisan group, with all sides beaming over the nearly $1 trillion compromise. Senators were described as “stunned,” “floored” and “frustrated” after Biden later put the conditions on accepting their deal, according to people familiar with the private conversations and granted anonymity to discuss them. “No deal by extortion!” tweeted Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., on Friday.