Congratulations?

It now looks like they are (probably) going to pass the bi-partisan infrastructure-privatization bill.  Hooray? 

While it's nice to think they might move ahead with putting some money into highways and bridges and water systems, there are fundamental problems with the way this bill would deliver such projects. We talked a little bit about that the other day and I'm sure there will be plenty opportunities to bring it up again once the consequences become apparent.  But at the moment most commentators are skipping over those details to raise questions about the process.   Like, for example, what was even the point of all this?

What may appear to be an imminent victory for bipartisan deal-making was in fact a drawn-out demonstration of how broken the Senate is as an institution. The Senate (with the White House’s support) wasted months cajoling and rehabilitating a handful of key Republicans only to pass a smaller version of something Democrats could theoretically have passed entirely on their own. Moving the bill forward only looks like a victory if one accepts the sclerosis and dysfunction of the Senate as a natural obstacle to be overcome with cunning and patience, not a self-imposed limitation on effective and responsive governance.

They could have chosen to just put all of the "infrastructure" through reconciliation and be done with it.  Instead they stripped out all the best parts and put those on a shelf that they promise...really.. fingers crossed and all... to pass right after they get this shitty thing through and pretend it's an accomplishment. 

What incentive do either of the famous trouble-Dems Sinema and Manchin have to pass the reconciliation bill now, though?  I have no idea.  Neither of them has committed to it. And then, of course, there are the labor and voting rights items the whole future of this congress and Presidency rest upon still sitting out there to be taken up later.  Does anyone think any of that is going to get done now?  I'd love to hear how.