Washington, Nov. 1 (BNA): Democrats in Congress were deeply divided over President Joe Biden’s multibillion-dollar domestic ambitions last week. But the two measures supporting social, environmental and infrastructure program resources remained in place, and lawmakers also managed to embarrass Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
This dissonance reflects how things routinely work in Congress, where legislation and policy are tricky and often result in complex messages, The Associated Press (AP) reports.
A look at the bumpy path for Democrats into the future after another turbulent week of trying to get their agenda through a Congress so divided that they will need nearly unanimous support to crush a united Republican opposition:
Although the final form is still being negotiated, Biden has bowed to a handful of stubborn moderate Democrats demanding that his 10-year, $3.5 trillion social and environmental program package be halved.
After months of bargaining, progressives with increasing power in the party decided to support the outlines of that now dwindling plan, although they were still fighting to maintain some programs. While they initially claimed $6 trillion and then slipped back to $3.5 trillion, they are declaring victory at $1.75 trillion, perhaps a bit more.
The eventual deal would allow Biden and his party to try to sell voters for the measure’s large sums earmarked for universal preschool, expanded subsidies and health care tax credits, and tax credits to encourage clean energy. It is paid for in large part by new fees to millionaires and mega corporations. Everyone scores well in the polls.
Two Democratic aides said Sunday that progress has been made toward adding language aimed at lowering drug costs by allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices. The settlement would cover less drugs than many Democrats would like, but it would still be a victory for the party. The aides described the conversations on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss them by name.
Once the deal is finalized, the progressives say they will also allow the House of Representatives to vote on an accompanying $1 trillion package of roads, water and other infrastructure projects, another Biden goal. The bipartisan bill was approved by the Senate, but House progressives held it hostage to pressure moderates to support the larger social and environmental measure.
Optimists say the vote could happen as soon as this week. Skeptics say the talks could go on for much longer. So far, that process has resulted in almost daily ill will between progressives and moderates, which has done little to boost the party’s odds of retaining control of Congress in next year’s election.
One near-term event that could affect Democrats’ talks is the Virginia gubernatorial election on Tuesday.
If Republican Glenn Yongkin defeats former Democratic governor Terry McAuliffe in the blue-leaded state, Democrats may worry about their control of swing suburbs enough to settle their differences at a faster pace. Or it may make some of them less willing to support the larger package.
Biden held an impassioned private meeting with House Democrats Thursday at the Capitol, pleading “I want you to help me” on both bills. At the same meeting, the California congresswoman, Pelosi, said she wanted the House of Representatives to approve the infrastructure measure, saying, “We must succeed today.” Their notes were described by a person familiar with the meeting who insisted on anonymity.
But the week ended with the continuation of democratic negotiations. Infrastructure was never voted on as progressives insisted on seeing the full and final text of the social and environmental measure first.
In a town that carefully monitors how leaders spend their political capital, moderates said the day dealt a blow to Biden, Pelosi and the party. Recently, they said, Biden’s approval in the polls has slipped, and intransigence at the ranks level will only do more damage.
“We’re the party that wants to get something done,” said Representative Jim Costa, D-Calif. He said Biden “showed his credibility today and asked the House Democrats to support him, and there were a number of members who weren’t willing to do that.”
“This day will go down in history as a day, like any other, on which Democrats dragged themselves in the mud,” said Representative Emmanuel Cleaver, a Moe Democrat. He warned that “Republicans will exploit any scenario in their power to try to convince the nation, including independents, that Democrats do not have the power to work.”
Biden had little choice in halving the size of his economic plan. Without the support of Democratic centrist Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kirsten Sinema of Arizona, she wouldn’t stand a chance in the Senate 50-50. This has given them a special place in the hearts of progressives.
“We need two senators to understand that Joe Biden is the president, and I think we’d be in a better place,” said Representative Mark Buchan, Democrat, progressive leader.
Liberals and party leaders say it will all end well.
“The president’s poll numbers will go up as soon as we pass” legislation supporting education, climate and other programs, said Representative Pramila Jayapal of Washington State, who leads the Congressional Progressive Caucus. “These are the things that people want to see us fight for, and we will deliver.”
Late Thursday, the progressives said they ultimately aim to support both bills. Pelosi thanked the “huge number” of Democrats willing to do so. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the clip was “clearer than ever”.
The social and environmental scale unequivocally includes the payoffs for progressives, but its smaller price tag means that some of the priorities are broken down.
Free community college, paid family leave and fines for utilities that use carbon-heavy fuels are gone or are subject to recent efforts to revive them.
More than a dozen Democratic women in the House of Representatives released a statement calling the omission of paid leave “unreasonable” and reprimanding critics who view it as “a kind of paid leave, rather than a struggle for life as is often the case.”
As Democrats’ hopes falter to help millions of immigrants stay in the US “If there’s no immigration reform, I can’t support these laws,” Rep. Jesus “Choi” Garcia, D-Illinois, threatened.
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