House Democrats plow ahead with social spending bill

Between the lines: In the letter, Pelosi wrote: “We must strive to find common ground in the legislation.”

• "Today is another momentous day in our historic effort to make the future better for the American people," which underscores that this is a concrete step forward for [the Build Back Better Agenda].
• Pelosi is proposing four weeks of paid family and medical leave, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), who has lobbied moderate Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) hard on allowing paid leave to be included in the bill, said in a statement.

What they're saying: Asked if Tuesday's results, in which Democrat Terry McAuliffe lost decisively to Republican Glenn Youngkin in Virginia's gubernatorial race, would change the agenda in Congress, Pelosi replied bluntly: “No.”

• In New Jersey, Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy also was in a closer-than-expected re-election campaign.
• House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) echoed that sentiment, telling Punchbowl News that McAuliffe’s loss “just reinforces the fact that we need to get these things done.”

Editor's note: This story has been updated with Gillibrand's statement.