In the Senate, she has led several of Biden's major bipartisan congressional deals, from an infrastructure package and a new gun law to same-sex marriage protection. She tried to compromise with both parties, sometimes hanging out on the Republican side of the Senate floor to chat to GOP leaders. She was noted for delving into policy details in spreadsheets and notebooks during negotiations.
Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins, who often negotiated with Sinema, said she will miss her in the Senate. “I like people who are willing to reach across the aisle and get things done,” Collins remarked. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York, who has clashed with Sinema, said the Arizona senator “blazed a trail of accomplishments in the Senate.”
Sinema has supported Democrats on most nominees and legislation. She opposed some progressive movement demands because the party had razor-thin majority.
Progressives are frustrated by her support for the Senate's filibuster rule, which requires 60 of 100 votes to advance most legislation instead of a simple majority. They claim it gives Republicans a veto despite the Democratic majority. Sinema claims it compels the bipartisan compromise most people want.
She single-handedly defeated her party's longstanding goal of taxing affluent investors. The year prior, she earned nearly $1 million from private equity, hedge fund, and venture capitalists whose taxes would have climbed under the proposal. She sometimes seems to enjoy being a roadblock.
She bowed when voting against minimum wage increases. A few weeks later, still reeling from the vote, she shared a photo on Instagram of herself at breakfast wearing a “f—- off” ring. Progressives increased pressure. She was followed into a bathroom by activists demanding answers. Her guest wedding was disrupted by critics. The Rev. Jesse Jackson was arrested outside her Phoenix office.
Long before she ran for reelection, funders threatened to leave, and various groups raised money for a rival. Before she became an independent in 2022, Arizona Democratic Party leaders censured Sinema, a symbolic measure that had no practical effect but symbolized her break with the party.
Anti-war activism launched Sinema's political career. Self-described “Prada socialist,” she lost a Green Party municipal election. After being elected to the Arizona Legislature as a Democrat, she frequently opposed Republican bills. Journalists covering the Legislature relied on her wit and brevity.
In her 2009 book, “Unite and Conquer,” she said that she realized she could be more effective forging bridges with Republicans than openly excoriating them. Her march toward the middle and national brand identity began then.
stay turned for development