Democrats scramble to secure a deal on a major economic package and resolve divisions that also jeopardize the infrastructure bill
Biden traveled to Capitol Hill in the afternoon to speak with members of the House Democratic Caucus, as Democratic leaders and White House officials labor to strike a deal on the economic framework that they hope can unlock enough votes for infrastructure. Two sources familiar with ongoing talks told CNN that a deal on the so-called framework of the economic package isn’t finished or imminent at this current moment.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden wants “to make the case for his legislative agenda” and “speak directly to members, answer their questions, and make the case for why we should all work together to give the American people more breathing room.”
The high-stakes visit to the Hill by the President comes as some Democrats have been calling for Biden to play a more active role in the process.
Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee said on Friday, “I think the President should be involved,” and said “very few of us have seen the President in nine months he’s been President. And I think he should come to a caucus.”
As of Friday morning, the path forward is still unclear, especially as progressives continue to say they need a Senate vote on the $3.5 trillion package to secure their support for the bipartisan infrastructure bill — and some Democrats are starting to openly express frustration with the delay.
Moderates are irritated that there hasn’t yet been a vote on the bipartisan bill after Democratic leaders promised one would take place.
Centrist Democratic Rep. Scott Peters of California gave voice to that sentiment, saying, “I feel frustrated. I want to vote today on this on this package.” Reflecting the uncertainty on the Hill over what happens next, he said, “I don’t know what’s gonna happen.”
Other Democrats, however, have shown more patience and have suggested it’s good that talks are underway as they express optimism a deal will come together.
House Democratic caucus chairman Hakeem Jefferies said on Friday, “The speaker has indicated that we’re going to vote today. I expect to vote today, and I expect that the bill will pass today. … I’m hopeful that we’ll get some clarity within the next hour or so from the Senate, as it relates to what they view as possible, so we can decide what is acceptable.”
Rep. Mark Takano of California confirmed that House Transportation Chairman Peter DeFazio presented a plan to do a stopgap bill, and said he “presumes” a vote will happen today.
Leaving the House Democratic Caucus meeting this morning, DeFazio, an Oregon Democrat, wouldn’t confirm to reporters if he announced a 30-day highway funding extension, but asked if Republicans could get on board with an extension, he replied, “I think if that were a solution, then they would.”
Any kind of stopgap bill would need cooperation in both chambers to clear quickly.
Some senators have left town already, including key moderate Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona. Sinema left Washington and is in Phoenix, Arizona, for a medical appointment, according to a statement from her office. The statement said, however, that she is continuing negotiations remotely.
This story and headline have been updated with additional developments Friday.
CNN’s DJ Judd, Morgan Rimmer, Kristin Wilson and Ali Zaslav contributed to this report.
