Sen. Joe Manchin has threatened to block President Biden’s package on climate change and infrastructure unless Republicans have more voice in the negotiation process than with the coronavirus stimulus bill.
Manchin, a moderate West Virginia Democrat who has emerged as a critical swing vote in the narrowly divided Senate, said he would use his position as chairman of the Senate Energy Committee to pass the law, unless the IDP has input.
“I’m not going to do this through reconciliation,” he told Axios on HBO in an interview aired Sunday. “I’m not going to get an account that cuts them out completely before we start trying.”
Senate Democrats used reconciliation, which requires only a simple majority, to pass Biden’s $ 1.9 billion stimulus plan by a 50-49 vote on Saturday.
Democrats have a majority in the 50-50 divided Senate because Vice President Kamala Harris, as president of the Senate, can break the ties.
Asked by Axios whether he believes he can get ten Republicans on board the infrastructure bill to reach the 60 votes required under normal Senate rules, Manchin said, “I know that.”
Manchin, 73, who delayed the coronavirus stimulus bill for hours last week because of his opposition to a minimum wage of $ 15 and the extension of unemployment benefits, said he would see to it that the infrastructure bill was paid in full.
It is estimated to cost between $ 2 trillion and $ 4 trillion
The senator from the red state of West Virginia said he was concerned about the country’s debt levels and worried about a huge, deep recession that could lead to a depression if we are not careful. … We’re just setting ourselves up. ”
Manchin said he would push back tax increases, including raising the corporate tax rate to 25 percent from 21 percent, and lifting a large portion of the tax cuts for the rich that were adopted during the administration of former President Donald Trump to pay.
In an interview on NBC News ‘Meet the Press’ on Sunday, Manchin said he would not end the filibuster because the collaboration between two parties would kill, and would make it more painful if used.
“If you want to make it a little more painful, let him stand there and talk,” Manchin said. “I am prepared to look any further, but I am not prepared to take away the involvement of the minority.”
The filibuster needs a margin of 60 votes to end the debate on a bill and move to a vote.
He warned Democrats to be careful about how they conduct their majority rule.
I would tell my friends. You have power … do not abuse it. “That’s exactly what you’re going to do if you throw out the filibuster, ‘he said.