Biden’s infrastructure win gives him some momentum. Here’s why he needs that

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President Biden was ebulliant as he described the contents of the infrastructure bill and what it took to get it across the finish line.

Alex Brandon/AP

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Alex Brandon/AP

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How the infrastructure bill passed on Friday night

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Here’s what’s in the infrastructure bill

The bill’s passage — combined with some positive news on the economy and the pandemic — could give Biden some momentum for tackling the next big piece of his agenda, a sprawling package of social programs, an overhaul of the tax system and billions of dollars of climate incentives. The size and scope of the plan has exposed deep division within his own party. But it’s another win he’s eager to secure ahead of looming 2022 congressional elections.

«The week started rough for Biden, but the [infrastructure] win and great jobs numbers shows the path by which Biden can turn this around,» said Jennifer Palmieri, who worked in the Obama White House.

But there are a host of forbidding odds working against Democrats as they head into the 2022 midterm elections, says Doug Heye, a Republican political consultant. «Inflation, national security, the border and so much more,» Heye said. «It’s hard to find an issue where Democrats have an advantage now.»

I am so happy to say that it’s infrastructure week. pic.twitter.com/qoeyiCvegb

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) November 6, 2021

Biden says he needs to do more to explain his bills

Biden’s Saturday morning speech likely won’t be the last he’ll give celebrating this victory.

He said he wants to hold a signing ceremony for the infrastructure bill along with the Republicans who were key to its passage in both the House and Senate — a nod to an idea he campaigned on, that Washington can work for the American people despite political polarization.

Grateful to @repdonyoung for his early encouragement and advice on putting together the bipartisan infrastructure bill — he was one of the @POTUS' earliest consultations when this process was getting started. https://t.co/tpO6PYwb77

— Ronald Klain (@WHCOS) November 6, 2021

His advisers have also acknowledged that the White House needs to do a better job explaining their giant legislative packages to Americans.

His first bill, a $1.9 trillion COVID aid package, contained a series of measures that Democrats have had a hard time getting credit for, including monthly child tax credit payments. This week, Biden said he’ll be talking about ports — a sector that will get a lot of long-overdue investment of $17 billion from the infrastructure package.

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Nighttime operations at the Port of Los Angeles. Strong consumer demand coupled with pandemic workforce shortages have crimped supply chains and caused shortages and delays.

Mario Tama/Getty Images

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Mario Tama/Getty Images

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The bill had been stalled by infighting between progressives, like Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash. (left), and Rep. Joe Neguse, D-Colo. (right), and moderates, like Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J.

J. Scott Applewhite/AP

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J. Scott Applewhite/AP

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What’s in Biden’s social programs and climate spending bill (so far)

Asked about Spanberger, Biden described her as a friend, and said they had joked about it afterward. But he stood resolute behind his strategy to go big when it comes to giving Americans relief through the social programs in his next big bill.

«I don’t intend to be anybody but Joe Biden. That’s who I am. And what I’m trying to do is do the things that I ran on to do,» he said. «Ordinary, hard-working Americans are really, really — been put through the wringer the last couple years, starting with COVID,» he said.

And he maintained that Democrats should see Tuesday’s election loss as a call to forge ahead on his plans. «They want us to deliver,» Biden said of voters. «Last night, we proved we can.»

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President Biden covers his eyes to choose a reporter to ask a question after speaking about the passage of infrastructure bill.

Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images

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Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images

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A closer look at what senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema want in the spending bill

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Stung by election results, moderate Dems want to hit the gas on infrastructure bill

But first, Biden will need to knit together the progressive and moderate wings again. Republicans have already said they will not support the next package, which has tax increases on the wealthy to pay for extending the child tax credit, universal pre-K and elder care, and other Democratic wish-list items.

Biden has faced questions about whether he was forceful enough in forging consensus — or too willing to accept compromise. On Saturday, he defended his approach of brokering deals. «You can’t have all you want. It’s a process,» he said, explaining that it is taking time to build up trust.

There is no guarantee the larger package will pass. Biden has been steadfastly mum on whether he has secured commitments from Senate moderates, who have raised concerns about the cost of the social safety net and climate package. But on Saturday, in the State dining room, Biden said he thinks it will happen.

«I feel confident that we will have enough votes to pass the Build Back Better plan,» Biden said. When a reporter asked what gave him that confidence, Biden responded with one word. «Me.»

• infrastructure
• Congressional Democrats
• Joe Biden
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