WASHINGTON , — Pivotal Senator Joe Manchin resigned Monday from his support of President Joe Biden’s sweeping $1.75 billion domestic policy proposal. But Democratic leaders pledged to press ahead with initial voting on the bill and a $1 trillion infrastructure package.
As Democrats demanded assurances from Manchin, the West Virginia Democrat made his announcement. He is one of two senators who are key to securing the deal and pushing it towards passage.
Progressive Democrats were rebuffed by conservative Manchin, who urged them to stop holding the smaller bill “hostage” while negotiations for a larger package continue.
Manchin stated, “Enough is enough,” at a press conference held at Capitol.
Manchin stated that he is open to voting in favor of a final bill that reflects Biden’s large package “that moves the country forward.” However, he also said he was open to voting against the final product while he evaluates the broad social services and climate change bills.
Democrats have been working tirelessly to complete months of negotiations. It’s not clear if Manchin’s resistance is going to be a crippling blow or have the opposite effect, allowing Democrats to take votes on Biden’s domestic proposal. Some Democrats were furious at his comments, but others were more enthusiastic, especially progressives who wanted to force him to act.
The White House quickly responded by saying that it is confident Manchin will support Biden’s plan. Congress leaders also stated that everything remained on track.
Jen Psaki, Jen’s press secretary, stated that Senator Manchin said he was ready to support the Build Back Better plan, which combats inflation, is fiscally sound, and will create job opportunities. We remain confident that Senator Manchin will support the plan.
Both Nancy Pelosi, House Speaker, and Chuck Schumer (Senate Majority Leader), echoed the White House. Progressives insist it’s time for voters to vote.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), the leader of the progressive caucus stated that “I don’t know what Sen. Manchin thinks, but we will pass both bills through Congress and deliver transformative changes to the people.”
Biden is currently overseas participating in a global climate summit, and his party is fighting in two key governors’ elections this week in Virginia and New Jersey. These races are considered to be bellwethers for the political mood of the electorate.
Republicans being staunchly opposed, Democrats are trying to unify progressive and centrist legislators around Biden’s vision.
Biden presented a framework last week for the package, which includes a substantial investment in climate change strategies and social services programs. Democrats, however, are trying to negotiate a lower prescription drug price for seniors with Medicare.
Pelosi stated that the House Rules Committee could meet Tuesday night or Wednesday at the latest, during a Monday leadership meeting. This would allow for midweek votes, according to someone who asked anonymity to discuss private talks. The Senate would still need to vote, most likely later in this month.
The progressives were refusing to vote for the smaller bill on public works, and using it to leverage their efforts to get commitments from Manchin, Democratic Senator Kyrsten Sinema (Arizona), the other key holdout, to Biden’s larger bill.
In direct response to progressives’ tactics, Manchin stated that “holding this bill hostage will not work to get my support for the broader one.” While the Senate has approved the public works bill for roads, highways, and broadband projects, it is currently being held hostage by House progressives while broader negotiations are underway.
Manchin stated that he would not support the bill that was so consequential without fully understanding its impact on the economy, federal debt, and the economy.
Manchin stated, “This is not the way the United States Congress should function.” “It’s high time Washington’s elected leaders stopped playing games.”
Many Democrats were furious at Manchin’s decision to hit the brakes again. This was especially because they claimed that Biden’s plan will be fully paid for by new taxes on the wealthy and companies, not adding to the debt.
“I think he just betrayed [his lack of seriousness],” said Rep. John Yarmuth (D-Ky.), the Chairman of the Budget Committee.
Biden’s domestic priorities have been a battle between progressive and moderate Democrats for months. It was not clear if the timetable for first House votes this week could be met.
The package, worth $1.75 trillion, is broad in scope and would provide assistance for large numbers of Americans to pay for their health care, education, and care for the elderly in their own homes. The nation’s biggest commitment to combating climate change, it would also provide $555 billion in tax incentives for cleaner energy and electrified cars.
It would cover a large portion of the costs by raising taxes for people who earn over $10 million per year and large corporations. Large corporations would now be subject to a 15% minimum tax to stop them from taking so many deductions that they end up paying nothing in taxes.
Two congressional aides stated Sunday that Democrats made significant progress over the weekend in adding prescription drug price curbs to the massive package. They asked for anonymity to discuss ongoing negotiations.
A senior Democratic aide said that one proposal being considered would allow Medicare to negotiate lower prices with many pharmaceutical companies. Drugs for which the Food and Drug Administration granted initial protection against competitors, periods that vary but are several years long, would be excluded.
According to the senior aide, there would be a cap on seniors’ out-of-pocket drug expenses under Medicare Part D. This is the program’s prescription drug benefit. The figure was not provided. If their prices rise beyond certain levels, pharmaceutical manufacturers would be required to rebate the government.
“When you combine these elements, you can move towards a financial reality in which a prescription is no more a financial ball-and-chain for American families,” stated Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), the chairman of Finance Committee.
The talks were ongoing and no agreement was reached. However, the movement expressed hope that the party’s 10-year, $1.75 Trillion measure would address the long-standing Democratic campaign promise to lower drug costs. But it was less than some desired.
Some moderate Democrats in Congress said that they would like to see the final assessment by the Congressional Budget Office before voting. This will provide a nonpartisan assessment on the bill’s total budgetary costs.
