The New York Times reviews Hunter Biden’s art exhibit:
“I can say that the show is more substantial than an amateur’s dabbling. They’re pretty. They have the generic smoothness of the art you might see in a posh hotel room.”
Quote of the Day
“I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to suggest that we took a monumental step forward as a nation. We did something long overdue, that has long been talked about in Washington, but never actually done.”
— President Biden, quoted by the Washington Post, on the House passing the bipartisan infrastructure bill.
Millions of Americans Can’t Shake a Gloomy Outlook
New York Times: “Despite many signals that things are improving — the stock market is hitting record highs, hiring is accelerating sharply with 531,000 jobs added in October, workers are earning more, and Covid hospitalizations and deaths are dropping from their autumn peaks — many Americans seem stuck in a pandemic hangover of pessimism.”
“More than 60 percent of voters in opinion surveys say that the country is heading in the wrong direction — a national funk that has pummeled Mr. Biden’s approval ratings and fueled a backlash against Democrats that could cost them control of Congress in next year’s midterm elections.”
Biden Called Jayapal’s Mother After Vote
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), leader of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said President Biden “even called her mother in India, though it was unclear why,” the AP reports.
Said Jayapal: “This was not to bribe me, this is when it was all done.”
The lawmaker said her mother told her she “just kept screaming like a little girl.”
How the Deal Happened
“House Democrats broke a monthslong fever Friday that has imperiled their entire domestic agenda, thanks to a truce from moderates and liberals brokered to advance more than $2 trillion in party priorities,” Politico reports.
Punchbowl News: “Once again, Biden owes a massive debt of gratitude to House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn and the Congressional Black Caucus — the same forces that helped carry him to the presidency. The veteran South Carolina Democrat intervened at a decisive moment and helped convince warring moderates and progressives to come to the table and negotiate.”
“Pelosi spent hours in the Gold Room off the House floor, dialing a list of lawmakers, looking to broker the deal. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer frequently met with Pelosi. Clyburn had the direct line to the president; he spoke to Biden on Friday evening. Lawmakers in and around leadership cycled in and out of the Gold Room to chat with Pelosi. Reps. Katherine Clark (D-MA), David Cicilline (D-RI) and Jamie Raskin (D-MD) were all in with Pelosi as the leadership tried to wrap this agreement up. This group also shuttled over to the Longworth House Office Building to meet with progressives, helping cinch the deal.”
House Passes the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill
The House of Representatives passed the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill, 228 to 206.
The bill, which passed the Senate in August, will now go to President Biden for his signature.
It is a major legislative accomplishment for Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Biden administration.
Latest From the House Floor
Multiple sources tell CNN that progressives and moderate Democrats are getting closer to a deal to have a vote tonight on infrastructure in exchange for more concrete commitments from moderates on the Build Back Better bill, which would be voted on at a later time.
Not everyone in the progressive caucus is on board but they are moving closer to an agreement.
A GOP House member tell The Hill that between 10 and 15 House Republicans are expected to vote for the infrastructure bill.
Extra Bonus Quote of the Day
“The whole day was a clusterfuck, right? But beyond that, you know… I thought everyone was working in a very congenial way. I mean, rank-and-file members figured out how to get shit done.”
— Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI), quoted by The Hill, after a fruitful closed-door meeting between Democratic progressives and moderates.
Bonus Quote of the Day
“Did I hear a laugh over there? Did I hear a laugh from those who added $2 trillion in tax cuts for the richest people in America?”
— Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Republicans, in response to snickers over her suggestion the budget reconciliation bill will cut the debt.
Democrats In Stand Off on Infrastructure
Punchbowl News: “This is a huge roll of the dice by Pelosi if she actually goes ahead with this vote. There’s a chance she may lose. She’s been forced to stand down on an infrastructure vote twice already due to progressive opposition. This time, she’s counting on President Joe Biden’s direct intervention to help bring progressives around.”
“But Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, reportedly told Biden that she would continue to oppose the bipartisan infrastructure bill unless it’s paired up with a vote on BBB… This is a position progressives have taken for months.”
“We have been told that there are more than a dozen progressives ready to vote against the infrastructure bill… There are more, but these seem to be the firmest no’s, as far as we can tell.”
The Hill: Pelosi dares liberals to sink Infrastructure bill.
Pelosi Says Vote Will Happen on Infrastructure Bill
Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters that she has a “Speaker’s secret whip count” and that she believes a “large number” of progressives will fold and ultimately vote on the bipartisan infrastructure bill tonight.
Said Pelosi: “I have a pretty good feel.”
Pelosi is likely counting on a number of Republican votes to make up for any defections.
How Trump Laid the Groundwork for the Big Lie
John Avlon shows how Donald Trump was preparing for the Big Lie for more than a year before the 2020 election.
Cuomo Sex-Crime Charge May Be ‘Defective’
“The sex-crime case against former Gov. Andrew Cuomo was thrown into doubt on Friday after the Albany County district attorney wrote an extraordinary letter to the court in which he characterized a criminal complaint as ‘potentially defective’ because it did not include a sworn statement by the victim that would allow a prosecution to proceed,” the New York Times reports.
Jayapal Rejects Pelosi’s Plan to Vote on Infrastructure
Just minutes after Speaker Nancy Pelosi called for a vote on the bipartisan infrastructure bill later tonight, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) rejected the plan on behalf of House progressives, Politico reports.
Said Jayapal: “If our six colleagues still want to wait for a CBO score, we would agree to give them that time — after which point we can vote on both bills together.”
Youngkin’s 17-Year Old Son Tried to Vote
“The 17-year-old son of Virginia Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin (R) tried to cast a ballot in Tuesday’s gubernatorial election twice despite being too young to vote,” the Washington Post reports.
Pelosi Confirms Vote on Infrastructure Bill
Speaker Nancy Pelosi postponed plans to push a massive budget reconciliation bill through House, but will hold a vote on the bipartisan infrastructure package, the AP reports.
11 States Sue to Stop Biden’s Vaccine Mandate
“Attorneys general in 11 states are suing the Biden administration to try to stop new rules that require employers with more than 100 workers to ensure their employees are vaccinated against Covid-19 or get a weekly test,” the Wall Street Journal reports.
Build Back Later?
Punchbowl News: “A BBB vote may not be possible today. One option under active consideration is to schedule a vote on the procedural rule resolution, which sets the guidelines for the BBB debate. And then immediately vote on the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill. This proposal is being pushed by the Congressional Black Caucus but has not been officially cleared by progressives and the leadership.”
“This move would allow Democrats to claim progress and give President Joe Biden a win. The twin votes would still be tough for various factions of moderates and progressives.”
“The issue with the BBB is wrapped up in the party’s uncertain political fate heading 2022. Moderates — some of whom may face tough reelection campaigns — are watching the outlook for Democrats get worse by the month. And they clearly aren’t eager to put themselves in political jeopardy for Pelosi, who may leave Congress after this term, or Biden.”
