President Biden is receiving unlikely support from some Republicans as he embraces federal spending on infrastructure and semiconductor manufacturing. The White House has even adopted the term “Bidenomics,” previously used pejoratively by Republicans, to describe the president’s economic campaign. In a speech in Chicago, Biden highlighted his bipartisan accomplishments, including the infrastructure bill and the CHIPS and Science Act. He hopes that these measures will underscore his ability to work across the aisle, appeal to moderate voters, and highlight his achievements in office.
One advantage for Biden is that Republicans helped pass these bills. While GOP presidential candidates and the Republican National Committee continue to criticize Biden’s economic stewardship, Republican senators who contributed to the legislation acknowledge that this will benefit Biden politically as well as themselves. For example, Senator Todd Young, a Republican from Indiana, praised the Biden administration for advancing the semiconductor bill, which he called “off-the-charts popular.” Senator Bill Cassidy, a Republican from Louisiana, grudgingly acknowledged Biden’s role in passing the infrastructure bill that had eluded previous administrations.
Biden’s infrastructure bill received support from 19 Republican senators and 13 Republican House members, while 16 Senate Republicans and 24 House Republicans voted for the semiconductor legislation. It will be difficult for Republicans to criticize these achievements when they themselves have claimed credit for them. The White House showcased praise from Republicans who voted against the infrastructure legislation but recognized the importance of broadband spending in their states. Even Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, who initially opposed the bill, celebrated the funds his state received.
However, Biden’s success in garnering Republican support will only truly matter if he can convince voters that these accomplishments are improving their lives. Despite the popularity of the economic policies associated with “Bidenomics,” few people connect them with Biden himself. Furthermore, his approval ratings on the economy are currently low. The issue of inflation poses a challenge, with prices remaining high despite a decrease from its peak last year. Republicans continue to criticize the Inflation Reduction Act, passed solely by Democrats in 2022, and attribute inflation to Biden’s economic policies.
Former Senator Roy Blunt of Missouri, who voted for both the infrastructure and semiconductor bills, believes it is wise for Biden to emphasize the bipartisan nature of these bills rather than the strictly partisan ones that Republicans blame for inflation. Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky asserts that both bills have contributed to inflation, which he believes will be a significant issue in the upcoming election.
In his speech, Biden highlighted the positive impact of the pandemic relief plan on unemployment rates, emphasizing his goal of restoring unity in the country. However, Republicans aiming to unseat Biden remain critical of his economic policies, with the Trump campaign claiming that “Bidenomics has created the worst economic decline since the Great Depression.”
Despite this criticism, Biden enters the 2024 election cycle with a remarkable list of achievements, including bipartisan legislation and actions taken to protect democracy after the attack on the Capitol. Senators from both parties set aside their differences to pass legislation they believed was necessary, demonstrating that democracy could still function. Democrats credit the circumstances of the attack on the Capitol as a motivating force for Republicans to cooperate.
In conclusion, President Biden’s embrace of federal spending on infrastructure and semiconductor manufacturing has unexpectedly gained the support of some Republicans. He hopes to brand himself as a bipartisan deal-maker and impress voters with his accomplishments. The passage of these bills with Republican support challenges Republicans’ ability to criticize Biden’s economic stewardship. However, Biden must convince voters that these achievements are improving their lives, as his approval ratings on the economy are currently low. Nevertheless, Biden enters the 2024 election cycle with a significant list of achievements, demonstrating his ability to work across the aisle and protect democracy.
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