Arizona Sen. Kysten Sinema perplexed Democratic colleagues once again Friday – this time by skipping town to see a foot doctor with plans to attend a big dollar fundraiser amid tense budget talks in Washington.
Sinema, a key centrist holdout on the $3.5 trillion reconciliation deal that is being trimmed, left DC for a medical appointment at the tail end of a week where she went to the White House four times.
Her office said she remained in touch with the White House even while tending to her hurt foot.
'Senator Sinema is in Phoenix where she has a medical appointment today, and where she continues remote negotiations with the White House,' her office said in a statement.
'Last night, Kyrsten and our team offered the White House continued discussions and negotiations for this morning. We're awaiting word from the White House for their availability,' the statement added.
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., leaves a private meeting with Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., White House domestic policy adviser Susan Rice, Director of the National Economic Council Brian Deese, and other White House officials on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021. She flew home to Phoenix, where she had a medical appointment Friday, her office said. The NY Times reported she was to attend a high-dollar fundraiser retreat Saturday
The Senate was not in session Friday, and most of the action was in the House, where President Joe Biden met with lawmakers for less than an hour Friday afternoon in an effort to resolve intra-party disputes on an infrastructure bill and the reconciliation package.
Buy-in from both chambers is needed, amid a progressive revolt led by lawmakers who refuse to back the bipartisan infrastructure deal until they get assurances or a Senate vote on the larger package – which Sinema has yet to get behind.
Amid the turmoil, the New York Times reported that Sinema had a big dollar 'retreat' for her PAC on Saturday, to be held at a high-end resort and spa.
The story broke just as Biden was preparing to with House members to urge unity and compromise on a smaller reconciliation deal.
Earlier this week, the paper reported she attended a 'Sinema for Arizona' event in DC with lobbyists and supporters paying up to $5,100 to support her.
![Sinema was out of town on a day President Biden [here with Speaker Nancy Pelosi] came to the Capitol to try to forge consensus on the budget](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/02/00/48661223-10051257-image-a-14_1633132088441.jpg)
Sinema was out of town on a day President Biden [here with Speaker Nancy Pelosi] came to the Capitol to try to forge consensus on the budget
Sinema broke her foot in June while running the Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon in Washington state. She is an avid athlete and runner, competing in marathons and ironman triathlons. In the weeks after she was spotted in the Capitol hobbling on crutches and wearing a boot.
Lawmakers who get health coverage for their Senate offices can choose from medical plans that have in-network doctors in Washington, D.C.
The Senate is not expected to vote again until Monday, but Sinema fled town as Democrats were unable to come to to a deal on Biden's $3.5 trillion social agenda package, which includes paid family leave, universal prekindergarten, free tuition at community college, Medicare expansion and strong measures to combat climate change.
Sinema, along with moderate Democratic Senator Joe Manchin, is one of the hold ups. She wants a lower figure than the $3.5 trillion topline number. Sinema was seen leaving the Capitol late Thursday night after being holed up in talks all day.
In the latest sign of liberal frustration with Sinema, Rep. Mark Pocan is saying she has brought nothing 'but a designer purse' to leadership negotiations.
Pocan, a Wisconsin member of the
