WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden is entering perhaps the most critical phase of his early White House tenure yet, as he confronts a series of domestic and foreign policy challenges that are poised to shape the political environment heading into a midterm election year.
In the coming weeks, Biden is aiming to complete a tumultuous withdrawal from Afghanistan, rein in the latest wave of the coronavirus and shepherd his multi-trillion-dollar economic agenda through Congress. And those efforts come as his approval ratings have fallen to the lowest point of his presidency.
Democratic strategists and officials acknowledge Biden has taken a hit politically over the past month, but say that he can reverse his fortunes this fall if he is able to successfully navigate these issues. If not, his party will likely face even stiffer headwinds in trying to protect slim majorities in the House and Senate in 2022.
