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Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersProgressives fear compromise could jeopardize midterm hopes Sunday shows preview: Frustration runs high as infrastructure talks hit setback Democrats seek tweaks to .75T framework MORE (I-Vt.) on Sunday said he spent the weekend negotiating a deal with Democrats to once again include the lowering of prescription drug prices in a social spending framework, a sign the party is still working out major provisions days ahead of when Democratic lawmakers hope to try for another vote on the matter.

House Democrats are eyeing Tuesday as the day to pass a bill on the framework and a bipartisan infrastructure measure. House Democratic leaders told committees they had to finish any changes to the spending bill by Sunday and that the House Rules committee could meet as soon as Monday to consider  the pared-down $1.7 trillion package.

Sanders, the chair of the Senate Budget Committee, told host Dana BashDana BashThe Hill’s 12:30 Report – Presented by Altria – White House tackles how to vaccinate children ages 5+ Manchin lays down demands for child tax credit: report Cassidy says he won’t vote for Trump if he runs in 2024 MORE on CNN’s “State of the Union” that he and other Democrats are working this weekend to “strengthen” the social spending package and add provisions that will help lower the cost of prescription drugs, after such initiatives were left out of the White House’s framework last week due to internal disagreements between moderates and progressives.

He said the goal of adding a prescription drug pricing plan to the bill is “not easy stuff,” but emphasized the importance of lowering costs.

Other Democrats reportedly agree. According to reporting from Politico, a group of Congressional Democrats and White House officials met this weekend to draft a prescription drug proposal to be added to the reconciliation package 

Top Biden administration officials spent Sunday touting progress and expressing optimism despite the ongoing negotiations.

Transportation Secretary Pete ButtigiegPete ButtigiegSunday shows preview: Frustration runs high as infrastructure talks hit setback US traffic fatalities up 18 percent in first half of 2021 The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – Biden, Democrats inch closer to legislative deal MORE told host George StephanopoulosGeorge Robert StephanopoulosCDC director urges Americans to go outside, ‘enjoy your trick-or-treating’ Rand Paul calls for Fauci’s firing over ‘lack of judgment’ Fauci says vaccines could be available to kids in early November MORE on ABC’s “This Week” that negotiators are “the closest we have ever been” to passing the infrastructure bill and reconciliation package.

He said the administration is “very optimistic” that the pieces of legislation will have the votes to pass this week, contending that Biden released the framework last week “because he believes that it will pass the House and the Senate and can get to his desk.”

President BidenJoe BidenTrump lawyer blamed Pence for causing Capitol attack: report Biden receives communion in Rome Protestors march for climate action in Rome amid G-20 summit MORE made one more pitch to Democratic lawmakers for the spending package on Thursday after releasing the draft proposal with hopes of solidifying a deal before boarding Air Force One and jetting off to Europe to attend the G20 summit and the COP26. That goal, however, was blocked by progressives when they refused again to commit to an agreement before fully reviewing the legislative text of the bill.

Energy Secretary Jennifer GranholmJennifer GranholmSunday shows preview: Frustration runs high as infrastructure talks hit setback Biden to stump for McAuliffe in test of his electoral branding Republican spin on Biden is off the mark MORE on Sunday characterized the last minute trip to Capitol Hill as a win, pointing to progressives’ verbal support for the framework.

“What happened is that the progressives came out unanimously supporting what was in the framework… they had to look at the language, which was released on Friday. And now he can say– he can go to COP, to Glasgow, and say that he has 100% unanimity in the Democrat Caucus and House. And that is really bringing people together over this agenda,” Granholm told host Chuck ToddCharles (Chuck) David ToddGlasgow summit raises stakes for Biden deal Arkansas governor backs employer vaccine mandates Paid family leave is ‘not a vacation,’ Buttigieg says MORE on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

The energy secretary did, however, signal that more can be done to address prescription drug prices and paid family leave, which was also eliminated from the framework, telling Todd “the fight is not over.”

She suggested that some Republicans may be willing to get on board with a separate paid family leave initiative if it’s not included in the final version of the spending package.

Despite the optimism, the text of the reconciliation package, which currently stands at $1.75 trillion, according to the White House framework, is still being finalized. 

There’s also the matter of getting all Senate Democrats on board. Moderate Sens. Joe ManchinJoe ManchinProgressives fear compromise could jeopardize midterm hopes Sunday shows preview: Frustration runs high as infrastructure talks hit setback Democrats could pass infrastructure, spending bills by Tuesday MORE (D-W.Va.) and Kyrsten SinemaKyrsten SinemaProgressives fear compromise could jeopardize midterm hopes Sunday shows preview: Frustration runs high as infrastructure talks hit setback Overnight Health Care — Presented by Altria — Young children one step closer to vaccine MORE (D-Ariz.), both of whom have held up negotiations for weeks, have not yet expressed support for the White House’s reconciliation framework, though they did sound positive last week.

On the House side, progressives are standing firm in their promise not to hold a vote on the infrastructure bill unless it is accompanied by the reconciliation package. But before departing the chamber Thursday, progressives lowered their bar for moving the social spending package despite there still being a series of ongoing negotiations within the “family benefits package.” 

“I don’t think it’ll take that long,” Rep. Pramila JayapalPramila JayapalInfrastructure setback frustrates Democrats nearing victory on social spending package Democrats seek tweaks to .75T framework Progressives see infrastructure vote next week MORE (D-Wash.), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said as lawmakers headed home late last week.