CNN "The Situation Room" - Transcript: Interview with Dick Durbin
Interview
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BLITZER: Tonight, President Biden's infrastructure agenda remains in peril as Democrats are in a critical moment in their struggle to try to close a bipartisan deal.
Let's discuss with the second ranking Senate Democrat, Majority Whip Dick Durbin.
Senator, thanks so much for joining us.
As you know, the White House says President Biden still optimistic about this bipartisan talks but it's been, what, more than a month since senators came to the microphone outside the White House, announced an agreement in principle.
How much frustration, Senator, is there that you still have at least right now nothing to show for all these talks?
SEN. DICK DURBIN (D-IL): Well, I can tell you that the first requirement of serving in the Senate is patience. And time and again during the years that I have served here, I have had to wait in the hopes that something good would come of it.
I think we're close. I have a positive feeling. I talked to the negotiator. They tell me two or three issues that we're down to. And it's encouraging to me.
Keep in mind, this is one of the largest, if not the largest infrastructure bills in our history. It really holds out the possibility of turning this economy around and putting thousands of people to work. It's worth getting it right, but we've got to get it done.
BLITZER: The August recess is coming up. Will you have an agreement hammered out, or are senators willing to stay here in D.C. and get this done?
DURBIN: Well, listen, I want to go home and be with my family as much as anyone, but we've got a job to do. Chuck Schumer said we're going to stay here until we get this done. I support him completely.
And I realize that when it comes down to decision-making, often, the prospect of leaving town, going into recess, returning with your family home can entice people to finally make the right decision.
BLITZER: Let's hope they do.
All right. Senator Durbin, thanks so much for joining us. Good luck.
DURBIN: You bet.
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