The Point: Biden's pre-flight bipartisanship push

View this email in your browser   June 4, 2021  | by Lauren Dezenski Biden's pre-flight bipartisanship push President Joe Biden may still be committed to finding a bipartisan path forward for his infrastructure plan, but beyond that, there are few, if any, obvious openings for cross-aisle cooperation.   Biden is hoping for some luck with Republican senators over infrastructure negotiations, offering to bring his price tag on an infrastructure package down to $1 trillion but also ensuring it amounts to "new money" -- not redirected from funding already approved by Congress as Senate Republicans have been demanding.    The back-and-forth with the GOP is time-intensive but worthwhile, Sen. Joe Manchin told CNN's Manu Raju: "We've got to work together. That takes a lot of time and energy and patience."   Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell doesn't sound so optimistic. "I don't know if we're going to reach an agreement or not," the Kentucky Republican said Thursday.   Senate Democrats are increasingly gearing up for a fight over the voting rights package known as "S 1" and the filibuster-busting consensus within the party needed for it to pass the chamber with just 50 votes. Despite the mounting pressure from the party to bid farewell to the Senate's 60-vote threshold, at least two key Democratic holdouts for the filibuster, Manchin and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, haven't shown any sign of changing their minds.   Meanwhile, both the President and Vice President are gearing up for their respective high-profile first trips abroad. This weekend, VP Kamala Harris is headed to Guatemala and Mexico -- all a part of her not exactly easy assignment leading diplomatic efforts to stem the flow of migration from Central America.   Next week, Biden heads across the pond, first to England for the G7 summit and a meeting with Queen Elizabeth -- TBD whether the Queen enjoys Biden's company more than his predecessor's. Biden will later travel to Switzerland to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and has already indicated he will raise the issue of cyber attacks that are increasingly crippling American entities, both public and private.    The Point: Patience is a virtue in life, and, apparently, in bipartisan negotiations.    -- Lauren QUOTE OF THE DAY "I don't serve President Trump. I serve God, country and Texas." -- Allen West, the now-former chair of the Texas GOP and potential statewide candidate, on running against a Trump-endorsed candidate. THE WEEK IN 14 HEADLINES President Biden announced new incentives for Americans to get Covid-19 vaccines ahead of his July 4 deadline. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump leans into misinformation ahead of a summer rally tour.   Monday Flynn says he didn't endorse Myanmar-style coup after he appears to back plan in video exchange On Memorial Day, Austin reflects on strength of US military and dismisses adversaries' criticism Tuesday Obamacare, LGBTQ rights, voting laws in play during Supreme Court's final month Texas Democrats call on Congress to act on voting rights but key obstacles loom  Kamala Harris will lead Biden administration's efforts on voting rights, President says Wednesday Thousands of emails from and to Fauci during the pandemic's early days were published. Here's what they show about him Biden announces 'National Month of Action' -- that could include free beer -- to get more Americans vaccinated by July 4 Some reluctant Democrats consider ditching filibuster for voting bill despite grim prospects over changing rules Biden lowers price tag and proposes no immediate changes to GOP tax law in effort to strike bipartisan deal Thursday White House pushes for companies to take ransomware more seriously after high-profile cyberattacks Trump is more obsessed than ever with 2020 election and is brushing off allies who are telling him to move on Senate Democrats face tough test of unity with voting rights bill Friday As Trump readies summer rallies and speeches, allies worry he's stuck in the past Wray sees 'parallels' between challenge posed by ransomware attacks and 9/11 LAUREN'S GOOD READS CNN's Gabby Orr on Mike Pence's difference with Donald Trump on January 6 (said while in New Hampshire...)   The attacks against Dr. Anthony Fauci are getting more personal and conspiratorial, Politico writes.   A status check on the Harriet Tubman $20 bill, thanks to The Washington Post.   Texas Monthly profiled a dog (not just any dog, though!) and it is so good. MUSICAL INTERLUDE New Rostam, h/t to Chris! FRIDAY'S TOP TWEETS 1. This is ... so real 2. A very specific price drop 3. Man, it's a hot one (in Minot, North Dakota) 4. Oh deer!  5. Imagine ONE BIG JOBS REPORT 559,000 The number of jobs added to the US economy in May, showing the US labor market picking up some steam -- and an improvement from the disappointing April jobs report. The unemployment rate also fell to 5.8% in May, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday. You are receiving this message because you subscribed to CNN's The Point with Chris Cillizza newsletter. Unsubscribe from this list Check out other CNN Newsletters Create your CNN Account Share the Point Newsletter Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get The Point in your inbox.   Send your tips and thoughts via email to Chris Cillizza and Lauren Dezenski. You can follow Chris and Lauren on Twitter and connect with The Point on: Our mailing address is: One CNN Center Atlanta, GA 30303   Copyright © 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., All rights reserved.

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