Unions and Bipartisanship: A Double-Edged Sword

Democratic policymakers are increasingly frustrated with the economic populism narrative, as demonstrated by Biden's significant support for unions, particularly the Teamsters. The American Rescue Plan of 2021 allocated $5.7 billion to safeguard the pensions of over 72,000 Teamsters, reversing potential cuts of 50 to 75 percent that had been long fought against. This initiative highlights Biden's strong alignment with union interests, even beyond previous administrations. However, the pursuit of bipartisan support within union leadership can create tensions, as some union members question such outreach to Republicans, feeling it undermines the loyalty to the Democrats who have historically backed them.