With the landmark infrastructure bill signed into law after a long battle in Congress, some are wondering 'what's next?' But many are wondering about what could have been.
And then there's Democratic Senator from Arizona, Kyrsten Sinema who can't read the room or seem to remember what she did for the last year.
After a year of upsetting her constituents by voting against policies that would help, and holding up the Build Back Better legislation, leading to the watered-down bill we finally got, Sinema bragged about the "success" on Twitter.
No one was having any of it.
President Biden signed our historic, bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law!
This is what it looks like when elected leaders set aside differences, shut out the noise, and focus on delivering results on the issues that matter most to everyday Americans.
— Kyrsten Sinema (@SenatorSinema) November 16, 2021
The Build Back Better framework was to be the hallmark of the Biden administration.
It was originally a set of $3.5 trillion bills that would seek to improve infrastructure, combat climate change, raise the federal minimum wage, and provide much more for the American people. These would have been paid for by increasing the tax rate on the highest earners.
Many parts of the bills saw opposition from Republicans, but were popular with the American people. A solution to pass the legislation was to abolish or alter the filibuster rule to allow the bills to make it to a vote.
This is where Sinema comes into play. She, along with West Virginia Democratic Senator Joe Manchin, acted as obstacles to getting anything done.
The two blocked any attempts to reform or abolish the filibuster. They moved against popular mandates in the bill, like a $15 federal minimum wage, and provisions that would have strengthened unions.
In all, the infrastructure portion of the bill getting passed at all was in spite of Sinema, not because of her.
What matters most to everyday Americans is trying to afford their medications.
It's a shame you're so focused on forcing them to over pay.
Every Day.
— Mike O (@MikeOandY) November 16, 2021
Imagine what he could do without you and Manchin dragging him down.
— Jason 💉💉 (@sparky347v) November 16, 2021
Then why do you fight him most of the time with your buddy from West VA?
— andy johnson (@rockmarne) November 16, 2021
Are you seriously celebrating this bill when you did everything you could to stop, stall and help the wealthy?
— Democracywins (@MizMiathanksyou) November 16, 2021
by "shut out the noise" do you mean how you shut out your constituents and lined your pockets? pic.twitter.com/LHPzqTwrCq
— LinsayintheHam (@LJEintheHam) November 16, 2021
Yep pic.twitter.com/FDrVuea2zz
— FrançoiseHardly🌹🇵🇸 (@HardlyTimes) November 16, 2021
Sinema tried to defend her position on the filibuster, claiming if Republicans got control of Congress, they'd use the lack of the filibuster to overturn laws and pass new ones that could be harmful.
This ignored the fact Republicans were already planning to do this even without the removal of the filibuster. As they've shown in the past, they're more than willing to move forward on bills to remove popular legislation.
However, these have usually failed, such as the numerous attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act.'
Basically, Sinema's argument doesn't have a leg to stand on. Despite this, she's refused to answer questions asked by the media and more importantly, her constituents.
The idea she'd try to take credit for the passing of this bill is laughable.
The climate provisions in BIF only unlock if BBB passes and Sinema already gutted most of the climate provisions in BBB… pic.twitter.com/4TDXvYpLx9
— Josh Leon (@gaptoothdbitch) November 16, 2021
The arson doesn't get to brag about being integral to the process of putting out the fire! "This wouldn't have happened without me!"
— David Milroy (@DavidMilroy6) November 16, 2021
pic.twitter.com/IsDLSZWUW1
— Jamie G. 🐧🐈🦮🌊 (@seachickensycat) November 15, 2021
For perspective, the $180,000 from crypto interests makes up more than 10% of the $1.3M Sinema raised last quarter. Most of it came on the same day—July 25—when, according to source familiar, she held a fundraiser for the industry ahead of a vote on her amendment they didn't like
— Roger Sollenberger found true love, suckers (@SollenbergerRC) November 15, 2021
Yup, they just took away my right to vote for a member of Congress. And it's not only their fault, but for millions of Americans like me, in Ohio, Florida, Utah, Texas, Iowa, etc., it's being taken away by Joe Manchin & Kyrsten Sinema's filibuster fetish
— Cliff Schecter (@cliffschecter) November 16, 2021
pic.twitter.com/JDVNIYvhhr
— Tank (@tankdempsey99) November 16, 2021
Sinema's support has been dropping over the course of the last year. Her massive popularity with a Democratic base has been replaced with a little more approval from Republicans.
There's always the chance Sinema will remember who sent her to Congress, but Arizonans aren't holding their breath.