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Fight between progressives and moderates over Biden’s agenda
To ensure the larger package doesn’t get left behind, House progressives, led by Jayapal, have made clear they won’t support the infrastructure bill unless the safety net bill moves in tandem.
The decision to push back the timeline for the infrastructure vote came at a critical moment for Biden’s agenda. It took place just hours after the President came to Capitol Hill to pitch House Democrats on a framework for his social safety net plan. That legislation has not yet been finalized or publicly signed off on by all Senate Democrats whose votes will be critical to its passage.
“The reality is that while talks around the infrastructure bill lasted months in the Senate, there has only been serious discussion around the specifics of the larger Build Back Better Act in recent weeks, thanks to the Progressive Caucus holding the line and putting both parts of the agenda back on the table,” Jayapal said in a statement on Thursday.
“Now, Congress needs to finish the job and bring both bills to a vote together,” she said.
Jayapal’s rise as a progressive leader
The Democratic lawmaker represents Washington’s seventh congressional district, which includes much of Seattle as well as surrounding areas.
Her caucus has also taken on a higher profile in recent years as Democratic party rising stars have been elected to Congress and joined its ranks, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York.
“We have to be able to say this is what the progressive caucus stands for, this is what we’re fighting for,” she said. “This is not a litmus test, this is not a purity test, but we do want people to generally be in line with the caucus on votes.”
The caucus has remained largely unified as moderates and progressives spar over Biden’s agenda, a dynamic that has strengthened the bloc’s influence and Jayapal’s power amid the high-stakes negotiations.
CNN’s Annie Grayer and Alex Rogers contributed.