CNN
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A uncommon scene occurred in Covington, Kentucky on Wednesday: President Joe Biden sided with Senate Minority Chief Mitch McConnell, whereas the 2 males backed a serious bipartisan legislative success they achieved collectively.

President’s go to to McConnell’s hometown to herald mass legislation enforcement $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill It was the primary home journey of the brand new yr when McConnell and 18 different Senate Republicans voted in favor and Biden signed the legislation in 2021. The journey was meant to ship a transparent message as Biden started the second half of his first time period: Even in a newly divided Congress, the Biden White Home nonetheless sees room for bipartisanship.

Biden thanked McConnell for working the legislation down the aisle.

“It would not have occurred if it wasn’t on your hand. It would not have occurred, and I need to thanks for that,” Biden instructed McConnell.

He added that whereas he and McConnell disagree on many issues, the Kentucky Republican is somebody you possibly can belief.

“He’s a person of his phrase. When he makes a promise to you, you possibly can take him to the financial institution, belief him, and he’ll be keen to seek out widespread floor to get issues carried out for the nation. Thanks, Mitch. Thanks,” Biden stated.

The scene was a stark message of partisanship and pragmatism despatched by Biden and McConnell as two former Senate colleagues met. Whereas Biden was talking at Covington, McCarthy suffered a fourth defeat in his effort to steer the Home of Representatives.

The backdrop for Biden’s go to was this: Brent Spence Bridge It is named one of many busiest freight roads within the nation, connecting Cincinnati, Ohio and Covington, Kentucky. Officers say the construction carries way more site visitors than it must assist.

It is also a bridge that Biden as soon as promised to overtake: “We’ll repair your rattling bridge to Kentucky,” Biden stated when the infrastructure invoice surfaced at a CNN city corridor in Cincinnati in the summertime of 2021. to be on the verge of transition.

On Wednesday, the White Home introduced that greater than $2 billion from infrastructure laws can be dedicated to the development of the Brent Spence bridge and different “economically essential bridges” across the nation.

Biden’s journey to the Ohio-Kentucky border on Wednesday will embody Ohio Republican Governor Mike DeWine and former Republican Senator Rob Portman, in addition to Democratic Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown.

White Home officers say the present of bipartisanship is meant to ship a transparent sign that as Republicans take management of the Home, Biden stays satisfied there’ll nonetheless be alternatives for bipartisan legislative victories.

The White Home made clear Wednesday that it has no intention of getting concerned within the drama being performed out within the Home. White Home press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre instructed reporters touring with the president that the Biden administration would “let the method proceed”.

“That is not my drawback. I believe it is a disgrace it is taken so lengthy,” the president instructed reporters as he left the White Home on Wednesday.

McConnell’s determination to look with Biden on Wednesday additionally indicators the GOP chief’s willingness to work alongside the president, despite the fact that most of his Republican colleagues within the Home have taken a tricky stance towards reconciliation with Democrats.

Whereas White Home officers usually invite all congressmen to occasions Biden organizes of their house states, Republicans regularly flip down the chance, making McConnell’s determination to hitch the president this week all of the extra notable.

Biden tried to downplay the significance of the matchup on Monday.

“We have been buddies for a very long time. Everybody talks about how essential it’s. It has nothing to do with our relationship,” stated St. Returning to the White Home from winter break in St. “An enormous bridge, man. Some huge cash. It is essential.”

In statements earlier than the president, McConnell identified that the infrastructure legislation is an instance of how the federal government works to resolve the issues of on a regular basis People.

“For those who have a look at the political alliance of everybody concerned, you will see that the federal government is working collectively to resolve an enormous drawback at a time when the nation wants to return collectively and see examples like this to get outcomes,” McConnell stated.

Numerous Cupboard officers additionally plan to journey this week in assist of infrastructure laws. Vice President Kamala Harris will cease in Chicago, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will go to New London, Connecticut on Wednesday, the place every will talk about “how the president’s financial plan is rebuilding our infrastructure, creating well-paid jobs – jobs that do not exist.” “It requires a four-year diploma and revitalizing communities which have been left behind,” the White Home official stated.

Within the coming weeks, Biden is anticipated to reiterate his bipartisan successes at stops across the nation because the Republican majority within the Home begins his work, which culminates in his annual State of the Union tackle. Biden’s aides started engaged on this speech and made bipartisanship a central theme.