House Democratic leaders have reached a deal to reach a compromise with moderates. They will push President Joe Biden’s multitrillion dollar budget blueprint through a key hurdle on Tuesday. This is a compromise that aims to end a dangerous standoff and get the party’s domestic infrastructure agenda back on track.
After a chaotic 24 hours that saw the House at a standstill, an afternoon vote was scheduled. As a group of moderate lawmakers threatened with withholding their votes for the $3.5 billion plan, tensions flared. They demanded that the House approve the nearly $1 trillion bipartisan package for other public works projects, which has already passed the Senate.
Nancy Pelosi, House Speaker, committed to voting for the bipartisan package by Sept. 27, after brokering the compromise. This is an attempt to assure lawmakers that it will not be overlooked, but it is consistent with Pelosi’s insistence that the two bills be moved together as a more complete collection Biden’s priorities. Pelosi set the goal to pass both bills by October 1.
Pelosi said Tuesday that “we’re close to landing a plane”, according to a Democratic aide who requested anonymity in order to discuss a closed-door caucus meeting.
The stalemate can be resolved. This will put an end to the sharp divisions between progressive and moderate lawmakers that make up the so-slim House majority of Democrats. As the drama unfolded, it showed the power that a few voices can exert in setting the agenda and signaled what the battles ahead.
The session was meant to be brief as lawmakers return to work in August, but it turned into a show of party divisions that could threaten Biden’s ambitious rebuilding plan.
The Republicans are firmly opposed to President Trump’s plans and the Democratic leaders still have a few votes. This gives any group of legislators leverage that can be used for making or breaking a deal. They are likely to do so in the coming weeks as progressives and moderates draft and vote to approve the $3.5 trillion package.
“I believe it’s important for those of us who have moderate Democrats to ensure that our voices are heard,” stated Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.), one of the negotiators.
Nine moderate Democrats, challenging their party’s most powerful leaders signed a letter last week voicing their opposition to Biden’s larger infrastructure proposal without first considering Biden’s smaller public works plan which has passed the Senate.
As other moderates raised similar concerns, their ranks grew.
The progressives were furious at the moderates and blamed them for possibly jamming Biden’s agenda. It is loaded with hard-fought party goals such as child care, paid leave, and Medicare expansion.
Justice Democrats and other outside groups started running campaign ads. Members of Our Revolution, an organization aligned to Bernie Sanders, protested Tuesday at the New Jersey office Rep. Josh Gottheimer. Gottheimer is a leader in the moderate effort.
Joseph Geevarghese (Executive Director of Our Revolution) stated that “This is an ‘which side do you on’ moment” and promised to “organize like no other to hold Democrats responsible and get this bill through the finish line.”
Biden’s “Build back Better” vision of helping families and fighting climate change is at the core of the budget measure. It is progressives top priority. All of it is largely funded by tax increases on the wealthy and big business.
Already, the House committees are hard at work creating legislation to complete the details of the $3.5 billion package that will be considered later in the fall.
The Progressives wanted to know the Biden budget priorities before agreeing to the smaller Senate package. They were concerned that it would not be enough down-payment for his goals.
The moderates demand the opposite. They insist that Congress send the bipartisan, smaller infrastructure measure, which they co-authored with senators, to Biden as soon as possible so that he can sign it before political winds shift.
The moderates insist that they want to support Biden’s larger package. However, the progressives are skeptical. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Sen. Kyrsten Silena (D-Ariz.) are both Senate centrists who have stated that they can’t support a package worth $3.5 trillion.
The moderates tried to get assurances from Pelosi about the Senate version of the larger bill they drafted in the House. This set up a new showdown between the parties’ competing views and their rebuilding priorities.
The White House has supported Pelosi’s strategy of leading her party in a carefully planned manner.
Jen Psaki, White House press secretary, reiterated Monday Biden’s support of Pelosi’s plans. It was a “healthy discussion” in the party, according to Psaki.
Republicans intend to reject the $3.5 trillion effort for big government spending. GOP support for the $1 trillion bipartisan measure, however, is uncertain.
According to the conservative House Freedom Caucus, it opposed both the Biden budget as well as the bipartisan bill.
Republicans attacked Democrats for following their priorities when all they wanted was Afghanistan. Thousands of Americans, including Americans, are fleeing Afghanistan as the U.S. forces withdraws.
Rep. Kevin McCarthy, House minority leader, stated that “we should not be doing anything else on the floor until every single American has home.”
Mitch McConnell, Senate Republican Leader, said Tuesday on Fox News that his support was for moderate House members.
McConnell stated, “I wish moderates success in the House.” “I’m pulling with them.”
