By ALAN FRAM of the Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP), Pivotal senator Joe Manchin has presented Wednesday’s broad outline of a revised social and environment package. This is a day following President Joe Biden’s suggestion to refocus his ambitious but stalled plan.
Manchin, D-W.Va. (whose opposition didomed Biden’s 10-year-old, roughly $2 trillion measure last December), didn’t give any figures or details. However, he briefly described his ideas to reporters and gave a faint glint of hope that Democrats might revive some form of Biden’s marquee legislative priority for this election year.
Manchin, however, stated that he wanted half of the package to be used for deficit reduction and inflation control. This suggested a major reshaping, which would have less room for Democratic priorities. It left its prospects uncertain. The entire effort was met with unanimous Republican opposition. It was relegated to the Senate, which is evenly divided after Manchin stated before Christmas that he opposed a House version of the bill.
Manchin said, “If you’re willing to talk, don’t you think that you should get your financial house in order?” If they don’t care about inflation and debt, it would be difficult for me to negotiate on any matter.”
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Democrats argued that the House approved bill was mostly paid for. They claimed that it would help families to cope with inflation by providing them more federal aid.
Manchin stated that there had been no formal talks over reviving the effort. He also said that he hadn’t discussed his ideas with President Obama. He has been saying for months that the House-approved bill would cause inflation. However, he didn’t explain Wednesday what he meant when he said that the legislation would be used to reduce price increases that have rippled throughout the economy.
Manchin stated that he wants to increase revenue by increasing taxes on the wealthy and corporations, and by reducing the prices of prescription drugs that Medicare purchases for its beneficiaries. The tax credits and other incentives that reduce global warming-related pollutants could be used to increase revenue.
All of these were included in the Biden-backed bill Manchin derail in December. However, the legislation that was sidelined was much more comprehensive and included initiatives like enhanced child tax credit, health care subsidies, and free preschool.
Biden suggested that a rebranded version of the package be presented in Tuesday’s State of the Union address. However, he didn’t use numbers. He stated that the measure would assist families in coping with rising expenses, and emphasized that it should limit drug prices, combat climate changes, and help with child-care costs.
Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. (Senate Budget Committee Chairman), a progressive who had clashed with Manchin repeatedly over the bill on social and environment, wouldn’t rule out accepting a smaller package, provided it included achievements like reducing prescription drug costs and child care cost. He was hesitant to accept Manchin’s suggestions.
Last I heard, Mr. Manchin does not run the United States Senate. Our job is to present the legislation that the American people desire. Sanders stated that Mr. Manchin could vote no.”
There are many discussions among senators,” said Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senate Majority Leader when asked if Biden’s words had prompted any new movement on the push.
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