His. Joe Manchin
Joseph (Joe) ManchinBiden faces crossroads of virus relief law Schumer promises the Senate will take on a “bold” coronavirus bill, rejecting GOP offer The White House says it has been in contact Manchin MORE (DW.Va.), a central vote based on centrism, announced Tuesday that it will vote to move forward on a democratic budget resolution, warning that it wants the leadership to work with Republicans on a bipartisan COVID-19 relief package.
“I will vote to move forward with the budget process because we have to deal with the urgency of the COVID-19 crisis. But make it clear – these are words I shared with President Biden – our focus must be on the COVID-19 crisis and the Americans who have been hardest hit by this pandemic, “Manchin said in a statement. posted Tuesday afternoon.
Manchin’s statements indicate that while he will support fellow Democrats in a key procedural vote to establish approval of a COVID-19 relief package, he could still block any package the leadership tries to approve only with Democratic votes in the framework of the budget conciliation process.
Leader of the Senate majority Charles Schumer
Chuck Schumer: Two-Handed Bipartisanship: The Remedy for Tribalism Fallen Capitol Police Officer Who Will Lie in Honor of Rotunda Senate Democrats, Say Consideration of Cannabis Reforms Will Be a MORE Priority (DN.Y.) said the Senate on Tuesday will begin laying the groundwork to pass a coronavirus relief bill with just a simple majority, an approach in which Manchin’s support is crucial for Democrats.
The Senate is expected to hold a first procedural vote Tuesday afternoon to proceed with a budget resolution. Once passed, the bill will allow Democrats to avoid a 60-vote filibuster for a separate coronavirus relief bill.
On Tuesday, Manchin also indicated what he wants and what he wants to do in a final measure of relief.
“I will only support the proposals that lead us to end and end the pain of this pandemic. For the good of the country, we must work together with a laser approach to defeat the COVID-19 crisis, support our neighbors and communities that continue to suffer and return to a more normal life as soon as possible, ”he said.
Manchin told reporters he would not support raising the minimum wage to $ 15 an hour, a component of Biden’s proposal, and said he would prefer “to have something responsible and reasonable.”
He put that amount in dollars at $ 11 per hour, adjusted for inflation, in West Virginia.
Manchin told reporters before Tuesday’s statement that he wants Republicans to have input on the COVID-19 relief bill. Ten Republican senators met with President Biden in the White House on Monday evening to discuss his $ 618 billion counter-proposal to President Biden’s $ 1.9 trillion plan.
Manchin has not indicated at what price he is leaning.
“I can’t tell you where the right numbers are, but when you have a good bipartisan input you can debate and debate, that’s when you get a good program. And we’re committed and we’re committed and everyone has committed that this reconciliation is done in a way open and bipartisan, ”he told reporters.
His. Susan Collins
Susan Margaret CollinsBiden faces the crossroads of the Biden virus relief bill, GOP senators accept more talks on COVID-19 after an “excellent” first meeting On The Money: Schumer promises that the Senate to accept “bold” coronavirus bill, rejecting GOP bid | Republican Senators Biden sends positive vibes after the long WH MORE meeting (Maine), a key member of the ten Republicans who met with Biden, also raised concerns about the provision of the minimum wage in Biden’s proposal, saying it should be managed separately from a COVID relief bill. -19.
“It is not relevant either for treatment or for economic recovery or for eliminating vaccines,” he said Tuesday. “In fact, it would be very difficult for the hospitality industry, which has been especially hurt.”
Manchin has been pressured by top Democrats to support Biden’s proposal. Vice President Harris last week gave an interview to a West Virginia television network in which she highlighted how she would help people in the state struggling to feed their families during the pandemic.
Manchin expressed his irritation that no one on Harris’ team or the White House would give him any discussion about the interview.
The White House later came to Manchin to repair fences. The West Virginia senator said Tuesday that “no apologies” were needed.
Updated at 1:59 p.m.