Sen. Joe Manchin threatened to block President Biden’s climate change and infrastructure package unless Republicans have more voice in the negotiation process than in the coronavirus incentive bill.
Manchin, a moderate West Virginia Democrat who has emerged as a critical voice in the narrowly divided Senate, said he would use his position as chair of the Senate Energy Committee to hold up the legislation unless the GOP has input. .
“I’m not going to do it through reconciliation,” he told “Axios on HBO” in an interview aired Sunday. “I’m not going to get into a bill that will shut them down completely before we try.”
Senate Democrats used reconciliation, requiring only a simple majority, to push Biden’s $ 1.9 trillion stimulus plan through a 50-49 party line on Saturday.
Democrats have a majority in the 50-50 divided Senate because Vice President Kamala Harris, as President of the Senate, can cut ties.
Asked on Axios if he thinks he can get 10 Republicans on board the infrastructure bill to get the 60 votes needed under normal senate rules, Manchin said, “Certainly.”
Manchin, 73, who last week put off the coronavirus stimulus bill for hours over his opposition to a $ 15 minimum wage and unemployment benefit expansion, said he will make sure the infrastructure bill bill is 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 is concerned about the country’s indebtedness and concerns about “a huge, deep recession that could lead to a depression if we are not careful. … We are just setting ourselves up. “
Manchin said he would support tax increases, including raising the corporate tax rate from 21 percent to 25 percent, and repealing “many” of the tax cuts for the wealthy made during the administration of former President Donald Trump to pay for them. .
In an interview on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” Sunday, Manchin said he opposes ending the filibuster because it would kill the bipartisan partnership, and would make it “more painful” when used.
“If you want to make it more painful, let him stand there and talk,” Manchin said. “I am willing to look in every possible way, but I am not willing to take away the involvement of the minority.”
The filibuster requires a margin of 60 votes to end the debate on a bill and move towards a vote.
He warned Democrats to be careful about the way they handle their majority rule.
I would say this to my friends. You have power … don’t abuse it. And that’s exactly what you’re going to do when you throw the filibuster away, ”he said.