By Richard Cowan

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – November promises to be a pivotal month for President Joe Biden. Democrats in Congress are facing a daunting workload. If completed, this would secure the $2.75 billion pillar of his domestic agenda — one some liken to the 1930s’ “New Deal” and the 1960s, “Great Society.”

According to an anonymous source, Biden presented the November agenda in this manner last week at a closed-door meeting held with House Democrats.

“I don’t think it’s hyperbole to say that the House and Senate majorities and my presidency will be determined by what happens in the next week.”

This is only for introductions.

Before the Dec. 3 deadline, a further $1.5 trillion must also be collected annually to finance routine government operations. Failing to resolve the deep divisions in Congress could lead to a partial government shut down.

The Dec. 3 deadline to raise Washington’s borrowing limit of $28.4 Trillion is also included. Republicans have said they won’t participate in this mundane process.

This failure would lead to a federal government default that is unprecedented in its ability to repay its debts, causing financial problems that can ripple throughout the world economy.

The House may vote this week to approve the $1 trillion first prong of the package worth $2.75 trillion. This includes more than $1 trillion for roads improvements, broadband access to rural areas, and other infrastructure investments. Even some Republicans are supportive of the bill.

Then, there could be debate on the partisan bill worth $1.75 Trillion that Democrats have been fighting over for several months. This would undercut Biden’s popularity. The bill is less than half of what Biden had originally requested at $3.5 trillion.

Biden is currently in Europe to attend the G20 and climate summits. He stated on Sunday that the package would be up for vote sometime during this week.

A large proportion of people are unaware that the bill includes tax cuts for low-income families and children as well as expanded social safety net programs. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also promoted the bills on Sunday.

It is not half a loaf. Buttigieg stated that it is “a feast of policy,” on ABC’s This Week.

BATTLES ABOUND

It is not clear how Congress will manage this heavy workload with Republicans uniting against many of the Democrats’ spending plans, and the Democratic caucus split.

A Senate battle over reform legislation for election reform is another factor. If Democrats fail to make progress as they expected, this could lead them to change the “filibuster” rule, so minor Republicans can’t block these bills.

However, the Democrats are most concerned about passing the massive bills which make up the bulk of Biden’s domestic agenda.

After many months of negotiations, the moderates and liberals within the party had reached an agreement about the safety net bill.

Bernie Sanders, however, is a well-known liberal who said Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union,” that he wants a provision included in order to lower prescription drug costs.

As the congressional elections for November 2022 near, the rush of legislation will determine whether Democrats are able to pass major extensions of government programs without the support of Republicans. It will also test their ability to cut taxes for certain individuals and raise them for corporations.

Democrats may feel empowered if they win in the tight Virginia governor’s election on Tuesday.

A Republican win could make Democratic moderates reconsider signing on to Biden’s broad “Build back Better” plan.