Biden urges passage of two key bills amid legislative "stalemate"

President Biden acknowledged Friday that Congress is "getting down to the hard spot" on negotiations over his massive social spending plan, as Democrats are navigating a deep divide between their moderate and progressive wings. 

Progressive Democrats want to delay the House vote scheduled Monday on the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill, so that they can first vote on the up-to $3.5 trillion measure that aims to create jobs, raise taxes on the wealthy, address climate change and ease the financial burden on lower- and middle-income families.

At the same time, the federal government faces the possibility of a partial government shutdown and is likely a few weeks from U.S. default, which has never before happened. On Friday, speaking to reporters at length about his legislative agenda, the president had a clear message to lawmakers in his party.