The discussions, which remain highly fluid, suggest that Democratic leaders are pushing to move beyond a series of angry intraparty standoffs and focus instead on whether they can coalesce around a scaled-down package. The outcome of the talks will also decide the future of a bipartisan infrastructure bill that has been held hostage in the fight. Beyond the numbers, the Democrats’ newly pragmatic tone suggests many in the party are concluding that, whatever their differences, the collapse of Biden’s agenda would be an overriding calamity. Operatives in both parties say the Democrats are likely to lose the House next year, and it’s unclear when they would next have the ability to enact some of their longtime goals. Even if they reach an agreement on the size of a social spending bill, they must figure out precisely how to scale back the legislation, which includes expanded Medicare benefits, universal prekindergarten and free community college. That bill would then probably be paired with the bipartisan $1 trillion traditional-infrastructure package favored by centrists.
https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Democrats-begin-to-narrow-their-differences-on-16510664.php