Elections Results Could Have Major Impact On Congressional Spending Bills

In the wake of election results that suggest Americans are not happy with the performance of President Biden and the Democrat-controlled Congress, majority lawmakers are under increased pressure to overcome their differences and pass two major spending bills that comprise the bulk of the president’s domestic agenda.

Ideological differences between progressive and moderate Democrats in the House and Senate have stalled progress on both a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill and on an ambitious human infrastructure package that has seen its price tag chopped from $3.5 trillion to $1.75 trillion.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) reportedly still harbors hopes both bills can be brought to the floor this week.

The fact that a Republican and political newcomer, Glenn Youngkin, won the governorship in Virginia, a state that Biden won by 10 points just a year ago, is seen as a clear sign by many Democrats that it’s time to deliver on promises made.

“I think what most people think: The situation is like, ‘Okay, we elected Democrats to have the majority in the House, the Senate, and the presidency. They should be getting things done,’” Democratic Rep. Elaine Luria, who represents a swing district in Virginia, told reporters at the Capitol.