That’s how the year is ending. But Biden’s no good, very bad 2021 began with broken promises, too. I’m thinking specifically about his pledge to work across the aisle to try to work across the aisle. Interestingly, the first test of this involved a COVID-19 relief package.
In case you’ve forgotten, back in February, a contingent of 10 Republican senators trekked to the White House to float a counterproposal to the Democrats’ $1.9 trillion package. On the heels of Trump’s angry, divisive presidency, the gesture was heartwarming. Sen. Susan Collins—who also helped spearhead a similar $900 billion bipartisan deal last December—declared: “It was an excellent meeting and we’re very appreciative that as his first official meeting in the Oval Office the president chose to spend so much time with us in a frank and very useful discussion.”
Unfortunately, immediately after the meeting, Psaki issued a statement that (essentially) said Biden would instead pursue a party-line reconciliation vote.
And that’s what he did.
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