You can’t transform the economy without first transforming the government.
Tag Archives: American Jobs Plan (2021)
As Biden Pivots, Democrats Seek to Salvage His Domestic Agenda
The president repackaged his sweeping domestic policy plan with more centrist language, but it remained unclear whether Congress would resurrect key elements of his agenda.
The Democrats Have Bigger Problems Than the Squad
Having immobilized the president’s agenda and plunged their party into disarray, moderate and conservative Democrats are casting around for someone to blame.
Harris Says Replacing Lead Pipes Is a Priority, Despite Limited Funding
Some civil rights leaders have grown frustrated with the lack of action behind administration proposals that would help Black and Latino communities.
The View From the White House
Ron Klain, President Biden’s chief of staff, reflects on the first year of the administration.
This Isn’t the Presidency Biden Imagined for Himself
The problems the president is facing are an almost perfect inversion of the problems Obama faced.
So You Lost the Election. We Had Nothing to Do With It.
Why is it that progressives are always blamed when moderates lose?
How Stephanie Murphy, a Holdout on Biden’s Agenda, Helped Salvage It
The centrist Democrat from Florida put the brakes on President Biden’s social safety net legislation because of concerns about cost. Then she brokered a deal to steer it through the House.
Governor Steve Bullock Warns: Democrats Face Trouble in Rural America
It’s time to ditch the grand ideological narratives and talk to voters about their real needs.
Spending as if the Future Matters
Public investment, including spending on children, is a worthy American tradition.
A.O.C. on Why Democrats’ ‘Talking Points Are Not Enough’
The House progressive spoke about “demoralizing” congressional negotiations, how she was told to stay away from Virginia’s elections, and what it means to excite the Democratic base.
Build Back Better May Not Have Passed a Decade Ago
President Barack Obama barely muscled his health law through the House. But income inequality, economic stagnation and a pandemic propelled an even more ambitious bill.
C.B.O. Finds Biden’s Spending Bill Not Fully Paid For
The White House and Congressional Budget Office are at odds over how much revenue the Internal Revenue Service could recoup from tax cheats.
Inflation Will Hurt Biden’s Spending Plan
Why didn’t they listen?
US Goal of Racial Equity in Infrastructure Is Left to States
The decision about how to spend the money falls largely to state governments, raising questions about whether the package can live up to its ambition.
U.S. Goal of Racial Equity in Infrastructure Is Left to States
The decision about how to spend the money falls largely to state governments, raising questions about whether the package can live up to its ambition.
Biden Signs $1 Trillion Infrastructure Bill Into Law
Billions of dollars will now pour into American communities, although the final package falls short of the president’s ambitions.
Biden Got His Bipartisan Win. Now, Reality Sets In.
President Biden, who is facing low approval ratings, hopes the infrastructure bill will help him project sustained progress in confronting a surge in inflation and growing alarm about the midterm elections.
When the Next Thing You Know Is That You Have Covid
The future of the virus — and violence — in America.
Biden Names Mitch Landrieu to Oversee Infrastructure Spending
Mr. Landrieu, a former mayor of New Orleans, will supervise the distribution of funds from the bipartisan legislation that the president will sign into law on Monday.
Ocasio-Cortez Isn’t Wavering. Are New Yorkers on Her Side?
By voting no on the infrastructure bill, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez set off a fierce debate, including among city residents eager to see the subways improved.
Illinois Republican Lawmakers at Odds on Infrastructure Bill
Representative Darin LaHood voted against the infrastructure bill while Representative Adam Kinzinger supported it. The split reflects the Republican Party’s post-Trump era of uncertainty.
Biden Says Spending Bill Will Slow Inflation. But When?
The Biden administration has argued that its infrastructure and broader economic package will slow rapid price increases. But that will take time.
Biden Got His Infrastructure Bill. Now He Has to Sell It to Voters.
Inside the Democratic Party, concerns are growing about whether the president will be able to fully capitalize on a major legislative victory.
Deck the Halls With Infrastructure
Fa la la la la la la la la.
13 Republicans Face Backlash for Backing Infrastructure Bill
The 13 Republican lawmakers who broke with their party to support a $1 trillion bipartisan public works bill have drawn anger and threats from their colleagues and constituents.
A Conversation With a Virginia Democrat
Representative Abigail Spanberger, a moderate, discusses her reservations about the Biden agenda and her party’s prospects.
The Biggest Kink in America’s Supply Chain: Not Enough Truckers
Long hours and uncomfortable working conditions are leading to a shortage of truck drivers, which has compounded shipping delays in the United States.
‘Free Joe Biden’: Sean Maloney on How Democrats Can Get Back on Track
In an interview, the leader of the House Democrats’ campaign arm acknowledged the major challenges facing the party but defended its agenda and its continued focus on Donald Trump.
The Democrats’ No Good, Very Bad Day Changes the Landscape
Bridges of America, rejoice!
Biden Celebrates Infrastructure Win, Even if Harder Victory Is Ahead
“Finally! Infrastructure week!” the president declared with a broad smile.
The Congressional Black Caucus Was Key to the Infrastructure Vote
Speaker Nancy Pelosi sent the chairwoman of the caucus, Representative Joyce Beatty of Ohio, to announce a key deal, understanding that the lawmaker had more influence at that point than she did.
Infrastructure Bill Makes First Major U.S. Investment in Climate Resilience
The measure includes $47 billion to help communities prepare for the new age of extreme fires, floods, storms and droughts that scientists say are worsened by human-caused climate change.
This Is Where the States Want Billions in Infrastructure Funding Spent
The plan finally approved on Friday will address transportation, water, broadband, energy and public safety needs that have been building for years, sometimes decades.
Facing Moderate Revolt, Democrats Put Social Policy Bill on Hold
Leaders pressed for a vote on a separate infrastructure bill, but the fate of both measures was in doubt amid party divisions, despite pleas from President Biden.
House Democrats Hunt for Votes to Pass Biden’s Domestic Agenda
Speaker Nancy Pelosi wants a vote as soon as Thursday night on a $1.85 trillion social policy and climate bill, but moderates are pushing back.
A Social Policy ‘Framework’ Fails to Secure a Biden Victory
President Biden went to the Capitol to detail a compromise on social safety net and climate legislation, but he couldn’t break the liberal blockade on another priority, infrastructure.
Who Are America’s Billionaires, Anyway?
They are tech titans, entertainment moguls and heirs to great fortunes. Their ranks grew during the pandemic, changing the political conversation around taxing the wealthy.
Biden and Democrats Push for Budget Deal This Week as Rifts Remain
Negotiators were closing in on a deal that could spend around $1.75 trillion, but lawmakers were still haggling over critical disagreements on the sprawling social policy bill.
Joe Manchin Doesn’t Like What Joe Biden Is Doing
Why is that?
Trump Missed the Part About No Do-Overs
And apparently no one from his party is going to explain it to him.
Biden’s Plans Raise Questions About What U.S. Can or Cannot Afford to Do
Democrats are debating whether doing nothing will cost more than doing something to deal with climate change, education, child care, prescription drugs and more.
Is It Time for Kyrsten Sinema to Leave the Democratic Party?
The Arizona senator is, at heart, a Democrat of convenience and expediency. She could well break up with the party — before it breaks up with her.
Why Democrats Are Having Trouble in Congress
A party with full control of government usually struggles and often fails to enact its agenda.
Washington Should Quit Its Budget Gimmicks
Sometimes true costs are hidden by backloading them.
As Democrats Trim Spending Bill, Some Americans Fear Being Left Behind
President Biden had an ambitious agenda to remake the economy. But under the duress of negotiations and Senate rules, he has shelved a series of proposals, some of them indefinitely.
There’s More Than One Way to Play Dead
The Senate is in a tizzy. Education is in a tizzy. Also, Democratic strategists.
The Democrats Are in Danger of a Midterm Rout
With the president’s agenda stalled in Congress, many Democratic voters are growing impatient and disillusioned.
Liberal Voters Hold Firm to Biden’s Stronger Safety Net
In the deep-blue Seattle district represented by Pramila Jayapal, a leading progressive in Congress, voters see the Democrats’ left wing as ascendant and want it to play hardball against moderates.
‘Long Overdue’: Liberal Voters Hold Firm to Biden’s Stronger Safety Net
In the deep-blue Seattle district represented by Pramila Jayapal, a leading progressive in Congress, voters see the Democrats’ left wing as ascendant and want it to play hardball against moderates.