With the Senate poised to keep the filibuster intact, there will be little to distinguish the new upper chamber from the one that largely stymied former President Donald Trump’s legislative agenda, potentially hobbling President Biden’s ambitious plans on everything from a sweeping jobs bill to immigration reform to overhauling the country’s infrastructure.
The new chief executive took office last week calling for “unity” in the wake of Trump’s contentious term that ended with the Jan. 6 Capitol riot by some of his supporters. But with the Senate now expected to keep a 60-vote threshold for legislation in place, Biden faces the daunting challenge of negotiating with Senate Republicans on most major legislation and the prospect that any failed deal-making could further divide the country.
