US Senate Convenes Rare Weekend Session Over $1 Trillion Infrastructure Deal

So far lawmakers have not seen the final text of the bill, which includes about $550 billion in new spending and was still being written on Saturday.

Senate in a rare Saturday session worked on a bill that would spend $1 trillion on roads, rail lines and other infrastructure, as lawmakers from both parties sought to advance President Joe Biden's top legislative priority. The ambitious plan has the backing of Democrats and Republicans alike and has already cleared two hurdles by broad margins in the closely divided Senate. But so far lawmakers have not seen the final text of the bill, which includes about $550 billion in new spending and was still being written on Saturday. Earlier votes were for a shell bill that will incorporate the actual legislation once it is complete. U.S Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor that the bipartisan group working on the legislation needed additional time. "The staffs are still working and say they will have the final legislative text ready tomorrow," Schumer said on Saturday night. "When the legislative text is ready, I will offer it as the substitute amendment and after that, we can begin voting on amendments," the top Senate Democrat said. After passing the $1 trillion bill, Schumer aims to push forward on a sweeping $3.5 trillion package that focuses on climate change and home care for the elderly and children