Biden adviser: 'People will not get everything they want' in congressional negotiations

Cedric Richmond, President Biden's senior adviser and a former member of the House, told NBC News' Chuck Todd during Sunday's edition of Meet the Press that not everyone will be completely satisfied once Democrats are done haggling over the White House's hotly-contested legislative agenda.
Todd's question revolved around some harsh words from Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), who suggested she doesn't believe there's enough trust within the Democratic Party after House Speaker pushed back the deadline on a House vote for the Senate's bipartisan infrastructure bill. Sinema is among the more centrist Democratic lawmakers who do not believe that package should necessarily be tied to the more expensive and sweeping reconciliation bill the party is trying pass.
Richmond didn't sound too worried about Sinema's warnings, instead chalking up the tension to a natural outcome for these situations. As all sides within the party look to iron out some sort of deal in the coming weeks, it's just reality that "people will be disappointed," Richmond said. "People will not get everything they want. That is the art of legislating." Ultimately, though, he said "the goal here is to get both bills, and we're going to fight until we get both bills."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Tim is a staff writer at The Week and has contributed to Bedford and Bowery and The New York Transatlantic. He is a graduate of Occidental College and NYU's journalism school. Tim enjoys writing about baseball, Europe, and extinct megafauna. He lives in New York City.
-
Battle of Orgreave: the long wait for answers
The Explainer Public inquiry into 1984 clash between police and striking miners a 'landmark moment for justice and accountability', says South Yorkshire mayor
-
How to spend the summer in Salt Lake City
The Week Recommends Hang out in the Maven District and bike your way around town
-
Crossword: July 22, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
-
Japan's prime minister feels pressure after election losses
Speed Read Shigeru Ishiba has vowed to remain in office
-
Gavin Newsom mulls California redistricting to counter Texas gerrymandering
TALKING POINTS A controversial plan has become a major flashpoint among Democrats struggling for traction in the Trump era
-
President diagnosed with 'chronic venous insufficiency'
Speed Read The vein disorder has given Trump swollen ankles and visible bruising on his hands
-
'Bawdy' Trump letter supercharges Epstein scandal
Speed Read The Wall Street Journal published details of Trump's alleged birthday letter to Epstein
-
Fed chair Powell in Trump's firing line
Speed Read The president considers removing Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell
-
Trump trashes supporters over Epstein files
speed read The president lashed out on social media following criticism of his administration's Jeffrey Epstein investigation
-
Judge nixes wiping medical debt from credit checks
Speed Read Medical debt can now be included in credit reports
-
Grijalva wins Democratic special primary for Arizona
Speed Read She will go up against Republican nominee Daniel Butierez to fill the US House seat her father held until his death earlier this year