[400] The rules change failed when two Democratic senators, Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, joined Senate Republicans in opposing it.[401]

Economy
After 5.9% growth in 2021, real GDP growth cooled dramatically in Biden's second year, to 2.1%, after slightly negative growth in the first half spurred recession concerns. Job creation and consumer spending remained strong through the year, as the unemployment rate fell to match a 53-year low of 3.5% in December. Inflation peaked at 9.1% in June but began easing in the second half of the year, to 6.5% in December. Stocks had their worst performance since 2008.[402][403][404][405]

Nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson
Biden and Ketanji Brown Jackson watching the U.S. Senate vote on her confirmation, April 2022
In January, Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, a moderate liberal nominated by Bill Clinton, announced his intention to retire from the Supreme Court. During his 2020 campaign, Biden vowed to nominate the first Black woman to the Supreme Court if a vacancy occurred,[406] a promise he reiterated after the announcement of Breyer's retirement.[407] On February 25, Biden nominated federal judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court.