Pelosi and 10 Democratic holdouts stalemate on budget and infrastructure bills, putting Biden's agenda in limbo
The House met briefly on Monday evening, but adjourned early Tuesday after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D) and a group of 10 centrist Democrats failed to agree on a path forward for the centerpiece of their and President Biden's domestic agenda — the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill and a budget package worth up to $3.5 trillion.
The Senate has approved the infrastructure bill and the larger budge blueprint. The 10 Democratic holdouts, led by Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), are demanding that the House clear the bipartisan bill before authorizing Democrats to write the larger package, but Pelosi, with Biden's approval, has lashed the bills together to keep all factions of the party invested in their success.
"We cannot squander this majority and this Democratic White House by not passing what we need to do," Pelosi told Democrats in a private caucus meeting. Other Democrats got increasingly frustrated and angry at the holdouts as the night wore on, Politico reports.
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.
Pelosi and her team met with Gottheimer on Monday evening and offered to pass the bipartisan bill by Oct. 1, regardless of the status of the budget package, but "some in Gottheimer's group quickly balked at the plan, leaving Pelosi and her team to gauge their appetite for a potential floor fight," Politico reports.
Republicans are actively cheering for the floor fight, hoping Gottheimer's team pulls a John McCain and sinks Biden's agenda, but that hope is "almost surely in vain," Elana Schor writes at Politico. In 2017, Sen. McCain (R-Ariz) killed his party's "attempt to take away benefits from the American public, protections that were growing in popularity," while the moderate Democrats would be "donning a black hat by stopping legislation that's poised to expand paid leave, universal pre-K, free community college, and Medicare coverage."
The "ultimate goal" of Gottheimer and his allies "is to gain influence inside their party," and "the best way to get that influence isn't by tanking the speaker's priorities, McCain-style — especially when Gottheimer is trying to repeal the cap on state and local tax deductions in the same bill he's holding up," Schor writes. "Gottheimer can win by reaching an agreement that makes his centrists look as smart as possible while giving Democratic leaders what they want."
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) told Democrats Monday evening they need to get a grip and "trust one another," otherwise "this is mutually assured destruction."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Today's political cartoons - February 1, 2025
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - broken eggs, contagious lies, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 humorously unhealthy cartoons about RFK Jr.
Cartoons Artists take on medical innovation, disease spreading, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Brodet (fish stew) recipe
The Week Recommends This hearty dish is best accompanied by a bowl of polenta
By The Week UK Published
-
What is 'impoundment' and how does it work?
The Explainer The Trump administration grabbed at the 'power of the purse' in Congress, using a little-known executive action that could have massive implications for the future
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump says 25% tariffs on Canada, Mexico start Feb. 1
Speed Read The tariffs imposed on America's neighbors could drive up US prices and invite retaliation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump blames diversity, Democrats for DC air tragedy
Speed Read The president suggested that efforts to recruit more diverse air traffic controllers contributed to the deadly air crash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
White House withdraws Trump's spending freeze
Speed Read President Donald Trump's budget office has rescinded a directive that froze trillions of dollars in federal aid and sowed bipartisan chaos
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OpenAI announces ChatGPT Gov for government use
Speed Read The artificial intelligence research company has launched a new version of its chatbot tailored for the US government
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Caroline Kennedy urges Senate to reject RFK Jr.
Speed Read Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s cousin said he should not become President Donald Trump's health secretary, calling his medical views 'dangerous'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
GOP senator reneged on voting against Hegseth
Speed Read North Carolina senator Thom Tillis provided the deciding vote to confirm Pete Hegseth as defense secretary
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump sparks chaos with spending, aid freezes
Speed Read A sudden freeze on federal grants and loans by President Donald Trump's administration has created widespread confusion
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published