Democrats brace for bruising October talks as Biden agenda stalls in Congress

Two massive economic and social packages have reached an impasse, threatening to derail Biden's first term in office

Warring factions of the Democratic party are bracing themselves for a potentially bruising month of negotiations over the two massive economic and social packages that have reached an impasse in Congress threatening to derail Joe Biden's first term in office.

With Democratic leaders racing against a new 31 October deadline to pass the legislation, and with pressure building on the White House from both centrist and progressive wings of the party, the centerpiece of Biden's agenda now hangs in the balance. Democratic prospects in next year's midterm elections are also at stake.