President Joe Biden, Attorney General Merrick Garland and House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy all addressed the annual Conference of Mayors winter meeting in Washington Friday, giving the city leaders credit for helping to pass his $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill through Congress and urging their help in implementing the measure's funding.
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"I urge every mayor in America to…to use the resources (of) the rescue plan, the resources that were intended not just to stave off disaster, but the bill for a future around the people who make communities run," Biden said.
"We will not tolerate attacks on synagogues or other houses of worship," Garland said, regarding the Texas synagogue attack. "We will not tolerate violence or threats of violence fueled by antisemitism, hatred, racism, or bigotry of any kind."
The president said he's trying to operate as a mayor would with the construction plans and the continued implementation of his $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package as well, which provided $350 billion to state and local budgets.
He then enlisted the mayors to get his stalled tax and economic plans through the Senate.
"This isn't partisan, it's practical," Biden told the gathered mayors. "You understand the cost if we fail to act. We need the voice of mayors telling the stories of what your community needs and the impact we're making on people's lives."
The president's popularity has suffered as inflation has climbed and the coronavirus continues to spread across the country.
Biden's efforts to jumpstart hiring and vaccinate the majority of the country have yet to generate much goodwill, prompting him to announce at a Wednesday news conference that he plans to travel outside Washington and take his case directly to voters.
By working with mayors, the president is betting he can put more pressure on Congress to act.