Senate Republicans are underscoring differences between President Joe Biden, top White House aides, and Democratic congressional leaders as talks over their divergent infrastructure proposals teeter on the brink of collapse.

While the approach did not ramp up pressure during negotiations over Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus spending package, it amplifies the Republican criticism that the president is a mere “puppet” of his staff and Democratic colleagues rather than the commander in chief. That is a charge GOP candidates intend to make between now and the 2022 midterm elections.