The Memo: Biden’s hot streak fails to quell Democratic doubts
President Biden has been on a much-needed hot streak of late. But it hasn’t stopped members of his own party from signaling their doubts about whether he should seek a second term. It’s a galling situation for Biden, who is sensitive about his age and, long before that was an issue, has felt at times during his half-century in politics that he has not been accorded due respect. Now he is moving to the midpoint of his first term with a growing list of accomplishments — and Democratic officeholders are becoming increasingly bold in their view that he should
Read MoreVulnerable Democrats seek cover on Title 42
Vulnerable Democrats in the early hours of Sunday sought cover on preserving Title 42, the Trump-era health order that prevents migrants from entering the country on asylum claims. Six Democrats voted for the amendment put forward by Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), who said it would have ensured that a comprehensive plan is in place before Title 42 is lifted. Five vulnerable Democratic incumbents voted for the amendment, along with Tester, the sponsor, but it failed to reach the 60-vote threshold to overcome a procedural objection. It fell short by a v
Read MoreSenate begins vote-a-rama, expected to last all night
The Senate shortly before midnight Saturday started an around-the-clock series of votes known as a vote-a-rama to wrap up work on the Inflation Reduction Act. The vote-a-rama is a feature of the Senate budget process, which Democrats are using to pass a major climate, tax and health bill with 51 votes, bypassing a Republican filibuster. The budget reconciliation process allows the party in control of the Senate to pass major legislation with a simple-majority vote but the trade-off is Democrats must allow Republicans vote on an unlimited number of back-
Read MoreGOP targets vulnerable Democrats with tough votes in vote-a-rama
Senate Republicans are targeting vulnerable Democrats on hot-button campaign issues like taxes, gas prices and the border, as their colleagues plow forward with a sprawling economic bill key to President Biden’s legislative agenda. Republicans are hoping to make Democrats feel pain with a series of tough votes on proposed amendments to the party’s mammoth bill, dubbed the Inflation Reduction Act, as the Senate buckles up for a long night of round the clock votes in what’s known as a vote-a-rama. Among the amendments Republicans will bring up during the vote-a-rama includ
Read MoreSenators fuel up on junk food for marathon debate
Senators are noshing on chocolate, nuts and beef jerky ahead of Saturday night’s marathon debate, stocking up on their favorite snacks to keep them awake and energized throughout the overnight session. The chamber is scheduled to start a vote-a-rama sometime around midnight, and it’s expected to run through Sunday morning. The hours-long process is part of the budget reconciliation procedure, which Democrats are using to pass their sweeping climate, tax reform and health care bill. The last around-the-clock vote-a-rama the Senate held in August of 2021 lasted mor
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