Shrinking Biden agenda collides with higher stakes: The Note

Democrats are, once again, negotiating with themselves. That dynamic could make losing sting even more.

The TAKE with Rick Klein

Trade-offs are typical at this stage of a presidency -- and, in theory, represent the kinds of deals President Joe Biden has longed to cut.

But with House and Senate Democratic leaders huddling with Biden at the White House Wednesday, they confront a strange phenomenon in time for the start of fall. Weeks of wrangling has left most of their governing agenda no closer to becoming reality, even as harsh deadlines draw closer and significant items go by the wayside.

A combination of parliamentary rules and simple math have already blocked realistic paths for passing voting-rights and immigration reform. As for what might still become law, the mammoth price tags that progressives previously saw as a negotiating floor are being whittled down further without necessarily picking up additional votes.