WASHINGTON, D.C. - Members of Congress are back in their home districts tonight. While they are home, they are reviewing the tentative infrastructure agreement before what is expected to be a busy round of voting later this month.

Representatives in the U.S. House have been watching the Senate’s infrastructure talks closely. U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele (D-Hawaii), a member of the House Transportation Committee, is among the Democrats who believes the proposed $1.2 trillion framework agreed to last month is a good start. That’s due in part to Hawaii’s “D+” infrastructure rating, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2021 report card.

“Our roads, our bridges, our water systems need serious investment,” Kahele said.

Kahele’s vision for a bold, progressive deal is an example of the wheeling and dealing Democratic leaders are facing this recess: balancing the wishes of the left-wing of the party, with the demands for a less-expensive deal from the moderate wing.

“We just can’t wait any longer to make the necessary investments we need to be competitive in the 21stcentury,” Kahele said.

Across the aisle, Republicans are largely supporting only physical infrastructure. U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.) is the top Republican on the House Agriculture Committee, where there is bipartisan work to expand broadband internet nationwide.

“In some areas, you’re going to find sufficient broadband of significant bandwidth to be able to handle the things that we need,” Thompson said of internet access in his rural Central Pennsylvania district. “But next door, there may be zero to none.”

If the Senate strikes a deal on the President Biden’s so-called “human infrastructure” proposal known as the American Families Plan, which is expected to cost anywhere from $2-6 trillion, House Democrats would need all of its members on board as well because of their slim majority over Republicans.

“People can try and redefine whatever they want,” said Rep. Fred Keller (R-Pa.). “But, the American people know what real infrastructure is. Infrastructure is not social programs.”

The Senate is expected to vote on any deal before the House does. A potential vote could come later this month before Congress’s month-long August recess.