The AP Interview: Jayapal pushes Biden for $3T spending bill

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By PADMANANDA RAMA and MARY CLARE JALONICK

WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal, the head of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, says she has pushed President Joe Biden to hold the line and keep his ambitious social spending plan closer to $3 trillion instead of the $2 trillion range that he has floated to Democrats in recent days.

Jayapal told The Associated Press in an interview Thursday that she had told Biden that his suggestion for compromise was “too low, and I said that I would really like to be closer to three.” The original amount for the package of Democratic initiatives, including expanded child care, health care, education and environmental programs, was $3.5 trillion.

The Washington state Democrat has emerged as a top negotiator in the talks on Capitol Hill, using the clout of her liberal caucus — and its nearly 100 members — to thwart a group of House moderates who demanded a vote last week on a $1 trillion infrastructure bill.

Biden tacitly endorsed the progressive caucus’s strategy last week, insisting that the spending package full of longtime Democratic priorities be linked to infrastructure. But he also floated trimming it back to a range between $1.9 trillion and $2.3 trillion, drawing pushback from Jayapal and others.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., chair of the nearly 100-member Congressional Progressive Caucus, talks to The Associated Press about her goals as a champion of human rights issues, and President Joe Biden's domestic agenda, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. Now in her third term, Jayapal represents Washington's 7th District and is the first South Asian-American woman elected to the House of Representatives. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-congress-eeae09b4577d27bbe5f82c8bba1af2fe

[JohnSJ]

1. Negotiating through through the media via interviews by Democrats I don't think is a very

good strategy

On Bloomberg I am seeing headlines that Democrats are worried about a bloodbath in 2022 because they cannot seem to get together

on other outlets the media, almost with glee, is reporting Biden's supposed diminishing approval numbers especially among so-called independents

In general I am skeptical of approval numbers

[NurseJackie]

2. It's obvious to me who's responsible for this...

On Bloomberg I am seeing headlines that Democrats are worried about a bloodbath in 2022 because they cannot seem to get together

It's obvious to me who's responsible for this. Politicians who focus on grandstanding and showboating will find that these public displays are much less effective than picking up the phone or scheduling a meeting with leadership. The public airing of dirty laundry and grievances is not a good tactic. Unity is what the voters need to see. Even if it's just the appearance of unity (the behind the scenes "sausage-making" process can be ugly) this is what will inspire confidence from the voters. Otherwise, it's just a futile exercise that seeks to blame Democratic leadership, that reinforces the lies that the Democrats are "Coastal Elites" who are too busy "eating canapes". That kind of behavior only creates distrust and division. It fuels resentment and suspicion. It's divisive and it weakens us. That type of negativity generates apathy. Apathy discourages voter turnout. Low voter turnout gives Republicans a chance to steal the elections. We know this already. So why would anyone do anything that literally HELPS the GOP? It's a fair question.

[JohnSJ]

3. Exactly. We are undercutting ourselves by negotiating through media outlets.

[Nixie]

6. Exactly. The election results have shown that people aren't

interested in fringe vs. fringe fighting.

[PatSeg]

5. I agree

It reinforces the appearance that the Democratic party is in disarray and can never get it together. Using the media to negotiate is not good governing, it is more of a campaign tactic. Many members of congress don't seem to be able to shift gears from campaigning to governing, especially the newer ones.

Meanwhile, the individual gets some short term attention, but at what long term cost?

[Vinca]

4. Jayapal is a good advocate for her position, but she's in a legislative body that represents 2 sides

(maybe 3 or 4 depending on the day) and she has to learn to compromise. Trim things back a hair one way or another and get it done. How will she feel is this goes on and on and on and next thing you know Kevin McCarthy is Speaker of the House and anything she ever wanted to accomplish is gone? Zero for her constituents.

[PatSeg]

7. And being a less experienced legislator,

perhaps she does not realize that an old-timer like Biden will always ask for more than he expects to get. He is a realist and knows there will be compromises.

[dchill]

8. My understanding is that 3.5 trillion was already a compromise...

... agreed upon already.

[question everything]

9. They should go ahead and pass the infrastructure bill!

Her bill will never pass and in two month the midterm campaigns start.

Instead of showcasing the infrastructure bill as an accomplishment, the R’s will point the failure as a sign of.. well.. failure.

[greenman3610]

10. infuriating that she brings no ideas on how to swing Manchin and Sinema

How the hell does she think this gets done?

[maxsolomon]

11. My Congresswoman is likely aware that she'll have to compromise

to "swing" those 2 centrist blockheads who don't seem to have specific objections or a specific bottom line.

An interview is staking out a position, not revealing behind-the-scenes strategy.

[marieo1]

12. Agreement

She is one of my favorites..........I have heard her many times and she will always do the right thing.

[Polybius]

13. Every time I see her name, I think of PayPal

I like her though, but wouldn't 3T make the bill DOA? Manchin would never go for that.