Sunday shows preview: House passes bipartisan infrastructure bill; Democrats suffer election loss in Virginia

The passage of a roughly $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill in the House after weeks of infighting among lawmakers, and Democrats’ loss in Virginia’s gubernatorial election are expected to dominate this week’s Sunday show circuit.

Late Friday, moderate Democrats scored a win after the House voted 228-206 to move a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill to President Biden’s desk. 

In a deal between the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressional Progressive Caucus and moderate Blue Dog Democrats, the three agreed to pass the infrastructure legislation while a procedural rule would be passed teeing up a vote on the Democrats’ social spending bill for the future.

The agreement between the three also established that if the $1.75 trillion social spending bill filled with Democratic priorities received a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) score that aligned with that of estimates from the White House, moderates would vote for the bill.

But the successful passage of the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill was not without its own setbacks. Progressives and moderates were at an impasse on moving forward with President Biden’s domestic agenda. Progressives argued that they wanted both the roads and bridges bill and the social spending bill to be passed in tandem, while moderates balked at its price tag and particular initiatives included. 

The House punted several times at putting the bipartisan bill on the floor for a vote as progressives previously threatened to tank the bill, and some progressives still voted against the infrastructure bill late Friday. 

Six progressive Democrats voted against moving the bill to Biden’s desk, while 13 Republicans voted in favor of the bill. However, most Democrats took the time to celebrate its passage.

“Tonight the House successfully moved the #BuildBackBetter Act further along the path towards final passage. I look forward to sending this transformative investment in working families to the Senate soon,” House Majority Whip Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) tweeted upon the bill’s passage.

Tonight the House successfully moved the #BuildBackBetter Act further along the path towards final passage.

I look forward to sending this transformative investment in working families to the Senate soon. pic.twitter.com/QbsuyVP413

— James E. Clyburn (@WhipClyburn) November 6, 2021

“Finally, infrastructure week!” Biden exclaimed on Saturday, nodding at a recurring joke among lawmakers of generally failed plans at passing infrastructure proposals. “I’m happy to say that: infrastructure week.”

Cedric Richmond, senior adviser to the president, is scheduled to appear on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” CNN’s “State of the Union” and “Fox News Sunday.” Clyburn is also scheduled to appear on “Fox News Sunday.”

Meanwhile, Democrats suffered a blow this week after Virginia voters elected Republican candidate Glenn Youngkin as their next governor. The commonwealth has not seen a Republican governor since 2009.

“Let’s climb that hill together. Let’s reinvigorate our future, let’s reinvigorate this amazing commonwealth of Virginia. Together, together, together, together we can build a new day, a new day for Virginians where yes, we soar and we never settle,” Youngkin said during his victory speech early Wednesday morning.

Democratic candidate Terry McAuliffe — a former Virginia governor — had campaigned with high profile members of his party, including President Biden. 

McAuliffe, Biden and others sought to tie Youngkin to former President Trump, and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) even ran ads trolling Trump over the fact that Youngkin seemingly avoided campaigning with the former president.

Instead, Youngkin leaned into issues like education, including the influence parents should have within schools. Post-race, some noted that the surprising defeat could be an indicative prelude for the 2022 midterms. 

Virginia lawmakers are set to appear on Sunday shows. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) is scheduled to appear on CBS’ “Face the Nation” while Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) is scheduled to be on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

Below is the full list of guests scheduled to appear on this week’s Sunday talk shows:

ABC’s “This Week” — Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy.

NBC’s “Meet the Press” — New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

CBS’ “Face the Nation” — Cedric Richmond, senior adviser to the president, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), FedEx CEO Fred Smith, former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb.

CNN’s “State of the Union” — Richmond, Mayor-elect Eric Adams (D-N.Y.); Gov. Larry Hogan (R-Md.), Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va._

“Fox News Sunday” — Richmond; Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.), Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, Marc Short, former chief of staff to former Vice President Mike Pence.

Fox News Channel’s “Sunday Morning Futures”— Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.); John Solomon, Editor-in-Chief, “Just The News”; John Ratcliffe, Former Director of National Intelligence Cory Mills, Florida Congressional Candidate (R) // U.S. Army Combat Veteran