Biden redefined ‘bipartisan.’ GOP moderates say it leaves them out.
The last time Joe Biden gave a big speech on Capitol Hill, moderate Republican lawmakers were buoyed by what they heard. The newly sworn-in president might be a Democrat, but he had spent 36 years in the Senate. He understood Congress and how deals were done. On that blustery January day, as their former colleague talked of unity, hopes for bipartisan cooperation soared.
Tonight, as President Biden marks nearly 100 days in office with an address to a joint session of Congress, many Republicans are far more wary. Some say they feel rebuffed – or worse, like they’ve been used as window dressing for a White House that has no genuine interest in bipartisanship.
“The administration should be on notice that the Lucy-and-the-football play can’t be run too many more times until people stop playing football with the administration,” says Sen. Todd Young of Indiana, one of 10 GOP moderates courted by the White House.
Mr. Biden’s campaign
“No genuine outreach”Glimmers of cooperation, on some issues
