McConnell seeks to divide and conquer Democrats | TheHill

He wants to drive a wedge between Biden and progressive Democrats and he knows if he can do that, one, he creates big problems for Biden, and, two, he limits Biden’s ability to pass transformative legislation,” said Darrell West, director of governance studies at the left-leaning Brookings Institution.The early indication from the White House is that Biden and his senior staff don’t like some of the bipartisan group’s proposals for paying for their spending plan, such as adjusting the gas tax to inflation and requiring a mileage fee for electric vehicles.That may be enough of an excuse for Biden to come out against the bipartisan framework, or simply withhold his support.Shooting down the bipartisan proposal would make it more likely Democrats move only one infrastructure package this year, which would be welcome news to progressive Democrats.Progressives such as Sanders, Warren, Sen. Bob CaseyRobert (Bob) Patrick CaseySenate filibuster fight throws Democrats' wish list into limbo Parliamentarian changes Senate calculus for Biden agenda Top union unveils national town hall strategy to push Biden's jobs plan MORE (D-Pa.) and Sen. Sheldon WhitehouseSheldon WhitehouseOn The Money: Democrats wary of emerging bipartisan infrastructure deal, warn of time crunch Democrats wary of emerging bipartisan infrastructure deal The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - Biden mission abroad: reward friends, constrain adversaries MORE (D-R.I.) want hundreds of billions of dollars for expanded child care, universal pre-kindergarten and long-term home health care, as well as authority for the government to negotiate lower prescription drug prices and new incentives for clean energy production.They think those proposals stand a better chance of becoming law if combined with traditional infrastructure in the reconciliation package.Progressives worry that passing a scaled-down package focused on core, physical infrastructure with Republican votes in the summer or early fall will diminish the appetite within their party for passing the rest of Biden’s social infrastructure agenda.“The trillions are starting to add up.