Can the future of Joe Biden’s reforms depend on the health of a single politician? In any case, this is the scenario that is being played out in the United States. Democratic Senator Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico announced on Tuesday that he “suffered a stroke” last week but is expected to make a full recovery. Very quickly, the messages of support surged. “I send my best wishes to Senator Luján and his family.” “Ben Ray is a tough man and I know he will be back in the Senate fighting for New Mexico families in no time,” New Mexico Democratic Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham tweeted. Behind the concerns around the health of the 49-year-old senator, there are other more political fears.
“It doesn’t seem like much, but the majority is so tight that if he doesn’t recover very quickly, it could stop all the projects of the Biden administration”, explained on Twitter the specialist Jean-Eric Branaa, lecturer at Paris 2 Panthéon Assas and specialist in American politics. Unlike the House of Representatives, senators are not allowed to vote by proxy. While the majority of Democrats in the Senate is fragile, the Democratic caucus could have difficulty advancing some votes if the senator remains absent. It is difficult for the moment to know the impact of his stroke on American political life. One thing is certain: the agenda is full, starting with the nomination of the next candidate for the Supreme Court who will replace retired judge Stephene Breyer.
Senate Democrats will need 51 votes to confirm a Supreme Court nominee, which would force the 50-member caucus to rally behind Biden’s pick, with Vice President Kamala Harris breaking a tie if no Republicans support the candidate. It was unclear whether any Republicans would join Biden’s Democrats in voting for his nominee as Supreme Court confirmation votes have turned highly partisan. For now, the recovering senator wants to be reassuring. If his recovery continues as it has progressed so far, he should be able to return to serve in the Senate by mid-March, giving Democrats enough time to have President Biden’s Supreme Court nominee confirmed. .
Reforms suspended from the health of the senator
More good news: Ben RayLuján is not sitting on the Judiciary Committee, which will hold hearings and ultimately vote on Joe Biden’s yet-to-be-nominated nominee before it is considered by the full Senate. “We hope that Ben Ray will be back soon, we are waiting for the president’s nominee and the clock will start to turn when we receive him,” said Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee. Before the reinstatement of the elected, the Senate should not adopt any legislation that is too divisive. Therefore, the other reforms planned by the American president remain suspended on the health of the senator. Enough to jeopardize a possible second attempt to pass part of Biden’s “Build Back Better” domestic spending bill.
The gigantic plan of social and environmental reforms of 1,800 billion dollars, provides in particular for kindergarten for all, tax credits for American households and substantial investments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As a reminder, the text had been blocked by Democratic Senator Joe Manchin, who alone prevents the implementation of the presidential program. The latter hit the nail on the head on Monday morning, declaring that the ‘Build Back Better’ plan was “dead”, hours before Luján’s hospitalization was made public. Indeed, Joe Manchin said he is not currently engaged in talks on the matter. With or without Ben Ray Luján, voting for this project is likely to be difficult.
In the meantime, the American political class keeps its eyes riveted on the health of the quarantine. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters, “First of all, we are all praying for Ben Ray and his family. We are all grateful that he is making a full recovery.” “We look forward to his early return to the Senate, and I believe the Senate will be able to continue its work,” added the New York Democrat. Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware also insisted, “Today we should be focusing on Ben Ray’s health, his family, and his recovery,” while adding that the situation is a reminder that “in a 50-50 Senate , any unforeseen development” can make things “more difficult”.