Bipartisan infrastructure deal is a 'start,' but we need 'much, much more': Rep. Maloney

As President Biden looks to drum up support for his $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure deal, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney urges lawmakers to do "much, much more" to address the needs of the American people.

“We need the $1.2 trillion,” Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney told Yahoo Finance Live, referring to the bipartisan infrastructure deal. “It's a start, but we need much, much more. Oftentimes the negotiations... I say, it's like mercury in your hand. It's moving all around and you're trying to get the best deal possible.”

A group of 21 senators, including 11 Republicans, agreed to $1.2 trillion in spending, which includes funding for roads, bridges, public transit, airports and waterways. But the fate of the deal remains uncertain, after Republican senators threatened to withdraw support if it was tied to a larger spending plan backed by Democrats.

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 24: U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the Senate's bipartisan infrastructure deal at the White House on June 24, 2021 in Washington, DC. Biden said both sides made compromises on the nearly $1 trillion infrastructure bill (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 24: U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the Senate's bipartisan infrastructure deal at the White House on June 24, 2021 in Washington, DC. Biden said both sides made compromises on the nearly $1 trillion infrastructure bill (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) (Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images)

The larger legislation being pushed by Democrats would spend millions more on what Biden called “human infrastructure,” including funding for education, childcare and paid family leave — a priority for Maloney.

“I'm absolutely thrilled with President Biden's statement and belief that supporting the American family is part of the infrastructure of America,” Maloney added. “We talk about family values, but when you look at our policies, we are far behind the rest of the world."

“We have to pass an infrastructure bill. It's one of these things that everybody says, ‘I'm for it,’ but then you try to pass it, and the votes aren't there,” said Maloney. “We need to get the votes together for infrastructure... What form it will be in, I do not know, but we need to get it and we will get it. We have to support the American family.”

Seana Smith anchors Yahoo Finance Live’s 3-5 p.m. ET program. Follow her on Twitter @SeanaNSmith

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