The first week of November started off with a devastating loss for Democrats and President Joe Biden in Virginia, but success in Congress and good news on the economy made the week a net win for Biden, and many of his most conservative opponents aren’t happy about it.
When Biden returned from his overseas trip last Wednesday, he had no clear path to getting his infrastructure agenda through Congress. To make matters worse, he arrived to news of Republican Glenn Youngkin’s victory over Democrat Terry McAuliffe in the Virginia gubernatorial race — an outcome some Democrats blamed on Biden’s dwindling approval rating.
Nevertheless, a strong jobs report arrived Thursday to bolster the White House, and then Biden finally succeeded in passing his infrastructure bill late Friday. (RELATED: ‘Finally – Infrastructure Week!’: After Months Of Crises, Biden Gets A Win With GOP Help)
The president now has a credible answer to critics who point to months of disappointing economic growth and unpopular gridlock in Congress. Biden ran on a unity message, and he was able to pass his $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, despite objections from the far-left wing of his party, thanks to the 13 House Republicans who joined him in Friday’s vote.
Many conservatives were outraged that more than a dozen Republicans got on board with Biden’s spending bill, which also included a vote to consider the $2.2 trillion Build Back Better Act, which Democrats may pass through budget reconciliation. (RELATED: Record 4.3 Million People Quit Their Jobs In August As Workers See Opportunity In Chaotic Labor Market)
“RINOS just passed this wasteful $1.2 trillion dollar ‘infrastructure’ bill,” Republican Colorado Rep Lauren Boebert tweeted Friday. “Pelosi did not have the votes in her party to pass this garbage. Time to name names and hold these fake Republicans accountable.”
I can’t believe Republicans just gave the Democrats their socialism bill.
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) November 6, 2021
“Only 3 days after voters rejected Biden’s failed policies in deep blue VA & NJ, 13 spineless ‘Republicans’ decided to tag-team with Democrats and helped pass their $5 TRILLION socialist takeover of our country,” Republican Illinois Rep. Mary Miller tweeted.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy speaks at his weekly press conference on Oct. 21. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
“Vote for this infrastructure bill and I will primary the hell out of you,” Republican North Carolina Rep. Madison Cawthorn stated Friday.
Conservatives have also focused criticism on House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy for failing to keep his members in line. National Review openly called for Republicans to consider removing McCarthy as GOP leader in the House.
“Every Republican who voted for this monstrosity who is not already retiring, should be primaried and defeated. It also is not too soon to be asking whether Rep. Kevin McCarthy should be ousted from leadership,” National Review editor Phillip Klein tweeted Friday.
Former President Donald Trump echoed the criticism of the Republicans who sided with Biden, but argued “RINO” support for Biden’s agenda was only just beginning.
“Now they’ll go for the big kill—getting their second $1.9 Trillion Bill (really $5 Trillion) approved, again with RINO support,” Trump said in a statement. “All Republicans who voted for Democrat longevity should be ashamed of themselves, in particular Mitch McConnell, for granting a two month stay which allowed the Democrats time to work things out at our Country’s, and the Republican Party’s expense!”
Three of the Republicans who voted for Biden’s bill have already announced they plan to retire: Tom Reed of New York, Adam Kinzinger of Illinois and Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio. The other 10 include Nicole Malliotakis of New York, David B. McKinley of West Virginia, Fred Upton of Michigan, Chris Smith of New Jersey, Don Bacon of Nebraska, Jefferson Van Drew of New Jersey, Don Young of Alaska, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Andrew Garbarino of New York and John Katko of New York.