US President Joe Biden returned to Washington this Monday (20) without a smile, as hopes for an agreement on a trillion-dollar plan to prepare the United States for the challenges of the 21st century fade at the end of a year . The country is also being marked by a rise in Covid cases.
Back at the White House after a family weekend in Wilmington, Delaware, the US President, wearing a black mask, walked into the Oval Office without a word, not even a glance, at reporters from his helicopter. Waiting to get down. For now, your schedule does not provide for any public appearances.
His plan, “Build Back Better”, calls for $1.75 trillion (about R$10 trillion) in social reforms and to support the United States in the face of climate change and competition with China, the Democratic senator said. A potentially fatal blow came after Joe Manchin decided to vote against the crucial Upper House approval.
The 79-year-old president has so far limited himself to publishing a tweet in which he says he is “more determined than ever” to defend the project, which aims to, among other things, reduce the cost of insulin. Have to do less.
Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer tried to boost morale on Monday by promising in a statement to “vote a revised version” of the plan, already “approved by the House of Representatives.”
“We will keep voting till we have nothing,” he said.
However, what would have been left of President Biden’s most important legislative initiative without Munchkin’s backing?
“absolutely unforgivable”
After announcing his dissent vote on Sunday on Fox News, former President Donald Trump’s favorite conservative channel, the West Virginia legislator reiterated Monday in an interview with West Virginia Metro News Radio that he was “very, very ambitious” of reforms. “Won’t vote for.
The BBB aims to reduce the cost of day care centers and medicines, improve the purchasing power of households, and encourage the purchase of electric vehicles.
This centrist, who made his fortune with fossil fuels, fears the effects of inflation and believes there should be a greater focus on aid.
Without it, Democrats don’t have the majority needed to pass the plan in the Senate. Furthermore, there is no way to count – as Biden did recently to pass his massive infrastructure spending plan – on opposition support, as Republicans believe the “Build Back Better” United States will have success. will lead the way. “Socialism”, the concept in a controversial country.
The White House on Sunday expressed its dismay with an absolutely unprecedented masculine statement from spokeswoman Jen Psaki, criticizing the “sudden and inexplicable change” and “violation” of Munchkin’s commitments.
“It’s not the president, it’s his allies” who have done “absolutely unforgivable things,” the senator said mysteriously after abruptly ending discussions on Monday.
The blow to Biden, whose popularity index is already very low, is quite serious: not only are his reforms at risk, but his political credit is also not lost, with a year left before midterm legislative elections, which could have consequences. are a disaster for the Democrats.
The president, a former senator who prides himself on mastering the parliamentary game like no other, has personally taken up the matter, speaking directly with Munchkin on several occasions, to the progressives of his party. who feel cheated.
“It’s time to take off your gloves and rule,” Democratic Congressman Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, one of the most famous faces of the party’s progressive wing, tweeted this Monday (20).
micron. message about
Powerless before a senator from a small rural state of 1.7 million residents, Biden is also facing a new wave of Covid-19 in the country, with more than 800,000 deaths since the pandemic began two years ago. More deaths have accumulated.
Lines are forming in front of diagnostic centers across the country, while sporting events and shows are being cancelled.
It represents a disaster for Biden, who, after the chaos he experienced during Trump’s tenure, was elected on a promise to end the pandemic and protect Americans.
In a country that is deeply divided and where federal power is limited and any measure, whether it is the use of masks or mandatory vaccinations, generates so much controversy and lawsuits, how is it possible to keep such a promise?
Biden plans to address the nation about the Micron variant on Tuesday. His top adviser on the health crisis, Anthony Fauci, announced in a keynote on Sunday: “We are going to have tough weeks or months as we approach winter”.
