McAuliffe has "frustration" with Democrats' failure to pass infrastructure bill
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Virginia gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe condemned Washington's failure to pass President Biden's infrastructure bill, telling CNN's "State of the Union" that his state has "got frustration with Washington."
What he's saying: "Why haven't we passed this infrastructure bill? It passed the U.S. Senate with 69 votes two months ago. I have been very straight on television," McAuliffe said. "We're tired of the chitty-chat in Washington. Get into a room and get it figured out."
"I'm traveling all over Virginia — They're worried about minimum wage, they want child care, they want elderly care, they want to see paid sick leave, family medical leave, which I will tell you my opponent is against of one of those things. I am for that. They want to get the job done. They're paid to get up in Washington, get this done, and the frustration is why isn't it done by now? 69 votes in the Senate two months ago. Get it done. Do your job."— McAuliffe on "State of the Union"
Between the lines: The comment comes as McAuliffe has sought to distance himself from Biden after vigorously supporting the president when he campaigned for the governorship earlier in the year.
- McAuliffe, who's in the final lap of the campaign against rival Glenn Youngkin, admitted during a teleconference call earlier this week the president is "unpopular" in the state.
Why it matters: The off-year election in Virginia is often viewed as a national bellwether. The question confronting Biden is how many candidates like McAuliffe are worried about fallout from his policies — and fear it portends disaster for them in the 2022 midterms, writes Axios' Glen Johnson.
- "I say: 'Do your job,'" CNN quoted McAuliffe as telling Virginia entrepreneurs earlier this month, after being asked for his message to his fellow Democrats. "You got elected to Congress. We in the states are desperate for this infrastructure money."
