🤫 Biden's risk

Charted: Kicking the can | Thursday, September 09, 2021

Open in app View in browser   Presented By AT&T   Axios Sneak Peek By the Axios Politics team ·Sep 09, 2021 Welcome back to Sneak. 🚨Breaking: The Justice Department sued Texas today over its ban on abortions after six weeks, with AG Merrick Garland calling the new law "clearly unconstitutional." Smart Brevity™ count: 971 words ... 3.5 minutes. Edited by Margaret Talev.     1 big thing: Biden's risk Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images   President Biden and his team know he's taking big risks with his aggressive COVID-19 vaccine mandates, Axios' Hans Nichols and Margaret Talev write. He's testing business leaders' resolve, putting Democrats' standing in swing states and districts on the line ahead of 2022's midterm elections, and tempting a tsunami of litigation over new requirements that could touch 100 million Americans. Between the lines: His plan is far bolder and broader than most health care, business and political leaders expected — or than he'd previously suggested he'd pursue. The requirements are a throwdown to the red-state governors blocking masking and vaccination requirements. And they're a strategic effort, as he's watched his own approval numbers slip underwater in the past month, to shift frustrations about climbing Delta variant cases onto the unvaccinated. "What more is there to wait for? What more do you need to see?" the president said. "We've been patient, but our patience is wearing thin. And your refusal is costing all of us." Republican governors vowed legal battles over Biden's plan to require private companies to vaccinate their employees, with potential fines of $14,000 per violation. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said: "I will pursue every legal option available to the state of Georgia to stop this blatantly unlawful overreach by the Biden administration." Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey said: "This dictatorial approach is wrong, un-American and will do far more harm than good. ... The vaccine is and should be a choice. We must and will push back." Business split: Business Roundtable president and CEO Joshua Bolten said the association of big CEOs "welcomes the Biden administration's continued vigilance in the fight against COVID." But Glenn Hamer, president and CEO of the Texas Association of Business, said Biden's announcement "sets a frightening precedent that could be used to justify any manner of regulation on business." What's next: Cultural and legal battles over vaccine mandates will be supported by conservative groups eager to join the fight. Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch, called it an "unprecedented federal power grab." Read the rest.     2. 💭 Our thought bubbles Photo: Ringo Chiu/AFP via Getty Images   Axios political reporter Hans Nichols: White House officials know that Biden was elected to contain the virus — and that if he's not successful, his entire presidency is at risk. By acknowledging, and then channeling, the deep anger that many vaccinated Americans feel toward the unvaccinated, Biden has ended his diplomatic overtures to the roughly 80 million Americans who have not taken their shot. Axios health care reporter Caitlin Owens: Most voters are vaccinated and polling suggests Biden may not face as much backlash as Republicans hope — especially if voters ultimately see his heavy hand as helping life get back to normal. But there's potential risk in mandates leading to staffing shortages. Axios Closer author Courtenay Brown: Biden's move will give private sector stragglers cover to flex their vaccine mandate muscle. Some CEOs — particularly those who have manufacturing facilities or a big share of blue-collar workers — have voiced fears that mandating a vaccine could scare off workers who don't want to comply. Axios business editor Kate Marino: Many corporate leaders have been looking for stronger guidance on vaccine mandates from the federal government. Read the rest.     3. By the numbers: Kicking the can Data: Congressional Research Service; Chart: Kavya Beheraj/Axios Continuing resolutions — or CRs — let Congress keep funding the government while buying time to negotiate the full appropriations bill for the year, Axios' Stef Kight reports. They've been used at least once in 42 of the past 45 years, according to data from the Congressional Research Service. 124 CRs have been enacted since 1998. Why it matters: The White House is urging Congress to pass a short-term spending bill by month's end to prevent a government shutdown — and include funds for natural disasters and immigration help for Afghans. Read the rest.     A message from AT&T AT&T unveils 3-year commitment to narrowing the digital divide     AT&T is continuing to take on the digital divide. Here's how: The company is helping make affordable internet access a reality for families across the nation with a 3-year, $2 billion investment in broadband expansion. See how AT&T is bringing connectivity to more Americans.     4. Axios Q&A: Josh Gottheimer Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J). Photo: Caroline Brehman/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images   Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) — a centrist leader who's at the center of the fall fights as co-chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus — previewed his infrastructure strategy in a phone interview with Axios' Alayna Treene. Climate as a driver: "I bring everything back home to what matters in Jersey. ... Look at the Northeast and having people affected by the floods. You've got all these infrastructure challenges from wildfires to water infrastructure, you name it." Q: What do you think of Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) not wanting a price tag higher than $1.5 trillion for Democrats' spending package? "Ultimately what will matter is what the Speaker [Nancy Pelosi] smartly committed to, which was: 'What can get to 51 votes in the Senate?' That's what I believe we'll vote on ultimately in the House. ... I prefer not to get into the specifics of different numbers." Q: What's the No. 1 thing you're pushing for with Democratic leadership and the White House? Ensuring they pass the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill by Sept. 27: Democratic leadership has given "member-to-member commitments" that they will not delay the vote on the bipartisan bill. "I have no doubt that will happen by the 27th." Q: How are Biden's falling poll numbers affecting his agenda? "Numbers go up and down — that's expected. I believe we'll be in a very different spot months from now." Read the rest.     5. SALT pile-on Photo: Sarah Silbiger/Bloomberg via Getty Images   Nine major national groups — including mayors, teachers and public employees — are coordinating to push Congress to repeal the cap on state and local tax deductions, Axios' Sarah Mucha reports. Why it matters: This adds another complication to Democrats' efforts to reach agreement inside their party about how big to go on infrastructure spending — and how to pay for it. Organizers say the following groups will be pressing Pelosi and other leaders: U.S. Conference of Mayors American Federation of Teachers Public Employees Federation National Association of Counties National League of Cities International Association of Firefighters National Association of Realtors National Education Association American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. Read the rest.     A message from AT&T The importance of closing the digital divide     Millions of K-12 students still lack adequate access to the internet, limiting their ability to do schoolwork at home. What this means: Without the right tools and resources to succeed, young people are at risk of falling behind. Read about how AT&T is helping to close the digital divide.   📬 Thanks for reading. Tell your family, friends and colleagues they can subscribe to this or any of Axios' free newsletters by using this link. Like this email style and format? Learn more about Axios HQ. It'll help you deliver employee communications more effectively.   Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. If you're interested in advertising, learn more here. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Axios, 3100 Clarendon B‌lvd, Suite 1300, Arlington VA 22201   You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from Axios. 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