When Democrats failed last week to call a vote on President Joe Biden’s $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, many took it as a sign his agenda was doomed.
After all, if House Speaker Nancy Pelosi couldn’t round up the votes in two days, it must be a no-go.
That Democrats are stepping back to ensure they have consensus on such major legislation should be of comfort. It also highlights a stark difference between today’s Democrats and Republicans. Whereas Republicans appear to be in lockstep no matter the issue, Democrats have distinct moderate and progressive factions who can and do exercise substantial clout.
Last week, both sides dug in their heels.
Progressives said they would not vote on infrastructure unless moderates agreed to support the president’s Build Back Better Act that specifically targets poor and middle-class families and senior citizens.
Among the hallmarks of the legislation — which has yet to be finalized and is referred to as the budget reconciliation bill — is making education from preschool up through community college free; expanding Medicare eligibility and making prescription drugs affordable; addressing climate change, and seeing that paid leave is provided to employees in the cases of prolonged illnesses or family emergencies.
Moderates balked at its $3.5 trillion price tag.
Several days later, it appears both sides are willing to meet somewhere in the middle by whittling down their priorities and, in some cases, limiting their scope from 10 to five years.
The impetus to keep at the table is that Democrats know three things: With Republicans uniformly opposed to the budget bill, they need every Democrat for it to pass; they have little time before the 2022 midterm campaign season begins, and they are united in their purpose of leveling the playing field for Americans.
This is what got “working class” Joe Biden elected. It is in Mr. Biden’s every fiber to see that those who have been left behind receive help. And he knows that sky-high healthcare costs, wages that have not kept pace with inflation and tax cuts that favor the wealthy continue to keep the disadvantaged pushed down.
OUR HOPE is that Democrats get to yes, sooner rather than later.
But we are reminded that the Affordable Care Act took eight months of deliberations, which, in our opinion, is President Barack Obama’s most singular achievement. Today, 31 million additional Americans are not only covered by health insurance because of the ACA, but it has also worked to reduce insurance rates. Such things save lives.
That moving the needle to benefit the greater good is so difficult for this Congress and those of recent years, should give every American pause come Election Day.
— Susan Lynn
