Joe Biden on brink as Democrats warn ‘we will get torn apart’ in bitter party divide | World | News
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Mr Biden is still building his administration as selects a Cabinet to help implement his agenda. Ex-Secretary of State under Barack Obama, John Kerry, has been brought back into the fold as Climate envoy, but the picks so far are raising questions over diversity. The tension was obvious when Biden was asked by NBC News’ Lester Holt recently whether prominent progressives like Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren could earn a place in his cabinet.
He replied: “We already have significant representation among progressives in our administration, but there’s nothing really off the table.”
Prominent left-wing group Justice Democrats, which includes Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, released a joint statement with Sunrise Movement saying: “While we have been encouraged by some of Joe Biden’s appointments and are largely relieved by who he has not chosen, we do not agree that progressives already have significant representation in the administration as it stands.”
The divisions in the party appear to be widening already, and Mr Biden was warned soon after his election win last month that this could happen.
This is partly because, while Mr Biden defeated Donald Trump, the Republicans are on course to secure a majority in the Senate, meaning key legislation could be blocked.
Democrats on the three-plus-hour call following the votes were furious according to reports.
Many blamed the most progressive members of the party, including Ms Ocasio-Cortez, saying they had hurt the party’s hopes with calls to “defund the police” and embrace “socialist” policies.
In audio published by the Washington Post, Abigail Spanberger, a first-term Congresswoman from Virginia showed her anger.
Prof Burman said: “The Republicans holding onto the Senate would be a very big deal, and it means Biden will be governing in a divided government scenario.
“He is going to have a hard time pushing through some of the legislation that the progressive wing of the Democratic Party wants.
“This is a pre-emptive strike which Nancy Pelosi will struggle to stop.
“I think McConnell will be committed to making it very difficult for Joe Biden to pass big ticket policies on his platform to get enacted.”
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