Sen. Joe Manchin threatened to block President Biden’s infrastructure and climate change package unless Republicans had more voice in the negotiation process than with the coronavirus stimulus bill.
Manchin, a moderate West Virginia Democrat who has become a tipping critical vote in the tightly divided Senate, said he would use his position as chairman of the Senate Energy Committee to maintain legislation unless the Republican Party has contributions.
“I won’t do it through reconciliation,” he told Axios on HBO in an interview aired Sunday. “I’m not going to get an invoice to withdraw them completely before I start trying.”
Senate Democrats used reconciliation, which requires only a simple majority, to approve Biden’s $ 1.9 trillion stimulus plan on Saturday by a 50-49 vote on the party line. (…)
Democrats have a majority in the Senate divided between 50 and 50 because Vice President Kamala Harris, as Senate Speaker, can break ties.
Asked by Axios if he thinks he could get 10 Republicans to incorporate the infrastructure bill to get the 60 votes needed under normal Senate rules, Manchin said, “I’m sure he does.”
Manchin, 73, who delayed the coronavirus stimulus bill for hours last week due to his opposition to a $ 15 minimum wage and the extension of the unemployment benefit, said he will make sure that the infrastructure bill tab is paid in full.
It is estimated to cost between $ 2 trillion and $ 4 trillion
The West Virginia red state senator said he was worried about the country’s debt levels and that he was worried about “a tremendous and deep recession that could lead to depression if we are not careful. … Only we are setting up “.
Manchin said he would support tax increases, including raising the corporate tax rate to 25 percent from 21 percent and repealing “many” tax cuts for the wealthy approved during the administration of former President Donald Trump to pay for it.
In an interview with NBC News’ Sunday “Meet the Press,” Manchin said he opposes ending the filibuster because it would kill bipartisan cooperation and would like to make it more “painful” when used.
“If you want it to be a little more painful, make him stop there and talk,” Manchin said. “I’m willing to look at how we can, but I’m not willing to get minority participation out.”
The filibuster requires a margin of 60 votes to end the debate on a bill and move toward one vote.
He warned Democrats to be careful about how they exercised their majority government.
“I would tell my friends. You have power … don’t abuse it. And that’s exactly what you’ll do if you launch the filibuster, ”he said.