The NPR Politics Podcast Congress Passes Biden's Trillion-Dollar Transit, Broadband, And Power Bill
Nov 8, 2021
Hosts celebrate a significant bipartisan victory with the approval of a $1 trillion infrastructure bill. They discuss its essential components and potential impacts on job creation, particularly in underserved rural areas. The legislative struggles behind the bill reveal complex navigation through bipartisan politics. Political implications spark conversation around upcoming elections, with skepticism about timing affecting voter sentiment. The ongoing internal conflicts within the Democratic Party highlight the challenges of advancing major legislation.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Effectiveness vs. Approval
- Completing projects like those in the infrastructure bill should demonstrate government effectiveness to the public.
- However, this hasn't significantly improved Biden's approval ratings.
The Infrastructure Bill and the Virginia Election
- Senator Tim Kaine suggested that passing the infrastructure bill earlier might have energized the Democratic base.
- This could have potentially influenced the Virginia gubernatorial race.
Biden's Brand and Political Fortunes
- The infrastructure bill's passage aligns with Biden's brand of bipartisan governance.
- It's uncertain whether this will improve his political standing, as the COVID relief bill's impact wasn't fully recognized.