Biden gets more aggressive with agenda in balance
By Brett Samuels and Alex Gangitano - 09/29/21 07:20 PM EDT
President Biden is stepping up his engagement with Capitol Hill in a bid to save his economic agenda after criticism from some Democrats who say he needs to get more involved in a battle between liberals and centrists in his party.
Biden scrapped a planned trip to Chicago to promote vaccine mandates on Wednesday, remaining in Washington to meet with Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).
He’s also stepped up his involvement with a series of meetings and calls to try to find a way forward for his $1.1 trillion infrastructure bill and a separate $3.5 trillion social spending package being crafted in both chambers.
It’s unclear whether the increased activity will lead to progress, but some Democrats expressed happiness that Biden is becoming more engaged.
“Canceling his trip to Chicago isn’t just window dressing — I think it’s a genuine and responsible move to stay here and have these critical discussions with members of Congress and senators,” said Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), an ally who earlier this week voiced criticism of Biden’s congressional outreach.
“People are told, 'You got to be with the president.' But what is it the president wants?” Dingell told MSNBC on Wednesday morning. “Nobody can even answer that question.”
“I think that’s a problem for the White House. ... I think he’s got to talk to more than two senators,” Dingell added.
Dingell’s comments were a reference to the outsized amount of attention Biden has dedicated to Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), two moderates who have voiced opposition to a $3.5 trillion reconciliation package without naming an acceptable price tag.
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https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/574596-biden-gets-more-aggressive-with-agenda-in-balance
