For Democrats and the Biden agenda, it’s becoming a matter of trust

Many liberals don’t trust moderates. Key moderates no longer trust congressional leaders or the White House. And few in the House trust the Senate.

As Democrats embark this week on their latest effort to save President Biden’s agenda, they are dealing with more than policy differences among their razor-thin majority.

The rival factions sparring over when and how to pass an upgrade to the country’s roads, bridges and Internet connections as well as an expansion of heath-care, education and climate change programs have made clear in recent days that the trust needed to get these policies into law has greatly eroded.

Democratic leaders’ ability to rebuild unity and get their two-pronged legislative strategy back on track will be paramount to whether they close out the year having delivered on the promises they made to voters as the party heads into what is expected to be a difficult 2022 midterm election.

“There’s no win for anybody until we get both of these bills done. Let’s all be clear about that. We have to be successful,” said Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), who serves as deputy chief voter counter for the Democrats’ three-seat House majority.