Biden, a longtime labor ally, along with Labor Secretary Marty Walsh and other administration officials helped unions and management reach a tentative deal averting a freight railroad strike in September.

Pelosi said Tuesday the chamber could vote as soon as Wednesday on legislation to adopt the September tentative agreement and avert a possible rail strike.

After the meeting, McConnell expressed openness to backing the legislation, and told reporters “We’re gonna need to pass a bill.”

Biden and Congress are trying to force the unions to accept the September agreement that does not include paid sick days.

“You have workers all over this country who work for the railroads, people who are working at dangerous jobs in inclement weather, have zero paid sick leave. That is outrageous,” Sanders told reporters. “I think it’s incumbent upon Congress to do everything that he can to protect these workers, to make sure that the railroad starts treating them with the respect and the dignity that they deserve.”

Sanders would not commit to voting for or against the legislation, and did not answer when asked if he would object to moving the legislation quickly through the Senate. Any one member can delay a quick vote and potentially put off final action until after the December 9 deadline to avert a strike.

Bernie Sanders is taking the side of the unions. Sanders is opposed to forcing the unions to accept the September agreement, which does not include paid sick days.