Centrists gain foothold in infrastructure talks; cyber attacks at center of Biden-Putin meeting

Increased support among senators for an infrastructure package introduced by centrist lawmakers and talks between President Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin over cyber concerns are expected to dominate this week’s Sunday shows circuit.

Two weeks ago, a group of 10 senators — five Republicans and five Democrats — introduced a scaled down version of Biden’s original $2.25 trillion infrastructure proposal.

The bipartisan deal, which includes a $974 billion price tag to be allocated over five years, has met opposition from progressives who say that the package does not do enough to address climate change, among other things. 

Progressive stalwart Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt), who will appear on NBC’s “Meet The Press” and CNN’s “State of the Union” said Monday he would not support the deal because it wasn’t directly tackling the issues of everyday Americans.

“I wouldn’t vote for it,” Sanders told reporters Monday evening. “The bottom line is there are needs facing this country. Now is the time to address those needs and it has to be paid for in a progressive way given the fact that we have massive income, wealth inequality in America.”  

Other progressives, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) said earlier this week that they would not support a scaled-down package on its own. 

However, the centrists’ package gained traction later this week after 10 more senators including Angus King (I-Maine), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) threw their support behind the $974 billion proposal. A total of 21 senators now support the package. 

Portman will make an appearance on “Meet the Press” this weekend. 

On Wednesday, Biden and Putin met during a bilateral summit in Geneva, Switzerland, — the first time the two world leaders have met since Biden took office. The two leaders discussed the issue of cybersecurity and Biden urged the Russian president to keep certain infrastructure off limits from cyber attacks and to crack down on cyber criminal actions in Russia. 

“The principle is one thing. It needs to be backed up by practice. Responsible countries need to take action against criminals who conduct ransomware activities on their territory,” Biden told reporters in Geneva after his meeting with Putin.

It’s unclear whether Russia will change its behavior, but both leaders said their countries would have discussions in the future about cybsecurity.

Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), who will appear on CBS’s “Face the Nation”, applauded the results of the summit.

“It’s time we set a new tone in our relationship with Russia. America is once again a strong, steadfast force for human rights and democracy around the world. And the days of turning a blind eye to Putin’s many abuses are over,” Schiff tweeted.

Below is the full list of guests scheduled to appear on this week’s Sunday talk shows.

ABC’s “This Week” — National security adviser Jake Sullivan

NBC’s “Meet the Press” — Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt.); Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio); Fiona Hill, senior director for Russia and Europe on former President Donald Trump’s National Security Council.

CBS’s “Face the Nation” — Hill, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.); Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch

CNN’s “State of the Union” — Sullivan; Sanders; Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.); Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.); Virginia state Del. Danica Roem (D)

“Fox News Sunday” — Sullivan; Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.

Fox News’s “Sunday Morning Futures” — Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), Senate Committee on Homeland Security; Dr. Pierre Kory, Critical Care and Pulmonary Medicine Specialist; James Craig, Former Detroit Police Chief; Bill White, Buckhead City Committee CEO; John Ratcliffe, Former DNI; Vernon Jones, Georgia Gubernatorial Candidate