It wouldn't be an important day in American government without a few moments toeing the line between funny and awkward, and Monday's infrastructure bill signing was certainly no exception.
For starters, the announcer at the event appeared to mispronounce Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's (D-N.Y.) last name, adding an "er" where there is supposed to be a "u."
That same announcer was then 0-2 after failing to introduce Vice President Kamala Harris for her remarks, instead announcing Heather Kurtenbach, director of Seattle's Iron Workers Local 86, who was scheduled to speak immediately following.
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.
When President Biden was finally up, some thought it odd he issued such a warm embrace of Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), a moderate who's managed to wield outsize influence over both the infrastructure and Build Back Better agenda negotiations.
Others suspected Biden was trying to court Sinema, whose vote he will need for Democrats' spending package to pass a 50-50 Senate.
The president also joked that second gentleman Doug Emhoff is actually first lady Jill Biden's "second husband" ...
... and poked fun at event attendee and infrastructure negotiator Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) after calling him a "helluva good guy," noting such a Biden endorsement couldn't hurt the senator since he's not running again.
And last but certainly not least, when the bill was finally signed, Republican Rep. Don Young of Alaska — Alaska! — mused he "damn near froze to death" while waiting for Biden to wrap up. Capitol Hill really does change a man.
-
Political cartoons for December 6Cartoons Saturday’s political cartoons include a pardon for Hernandez, word of the year, and more
-
Pakistan: Trump’s ‘favourite field marshal’ takes chargeIn the Spotlight Asim Munir’s control over all three branches of Pakistan’s military gives him ‘sweeping powers’ – and almost unlimited freedom to use them
-
Codeword: December 6, 2025The daily codeword puzzle from The Week
-
Trump tightens restrictions for work visasSpeed Read The length of work permits for asylum seekers and refugees has been shortened from five years to 18 months
-
Supreme Court revives Texas GOP gerrymanderSpeed Read Texas Republicans can use the congressional map they approved in August at President Donald Trump’s behest
-
Boat strike footage rattles some lawmakersSpeed Read ‘Disturbing’ footage of the Sept. 2 attack on an alleged drug-trafficking boat also shows the second strike that killed two survivors who were clinging to the wreckage
-
Trump boosts gas cars in fuel economy rollbackspeed read Watering down fuel efficiency standards is another blow to former President Biden’s effort to boost electric vehicles
-
Hegseth’s Signal chat put troops in peril, probe findsSpeed Read The defense secretary risked the lives of military personnel and violated Pentagon rules, says new report
-
Trump pardons Texas Democratic congressmanspeed read Rep. Henry Cuellar was charged with accepting foreign bribes tied to Azerbaijan and Mexico
-
GOP wins tight House race in red Tennessee districtSpeed Read Republicans maintained their advantage in the House
-
Trump targets ‘garbage’ Somalis ahead of ICE raidsSpeed Read The Department of Homeland Security will launch an immigration operation targeting Somali immigrants in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area
