Joe Manchin Deals Blow to Democrats' Stimulus Plan, Won't Support It Without Bipartisan Agreement
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Joe Manchin Deals Blow to Democrats' Stimulus Plan, Won't Support It Without Bipartisan Agreement
Democratic Senator Joe Manchin said Tuesday he is opposed to passing an economic relief bill without bipartisan agreement.
© Pool/Getty Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) questions nominee for Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee on Capitol Hill January 27, 2021 in Washington, DC.
Asked by reporters if he would support a budget resolution to pass the legislation, Manchin said, "I will only support moving in a bipartisan way." He added, "That means an open process. I've been very clear about that."
Manchin also released a statement on his stance, where he said, "I will vote to move forward with the budget process because we must address the urgency of the COVID-19 crisis. But let me be clear—and these are words I shared with President Biden—our focus must be targeted on the COVID-19 crisis and Americans who have been most impacted by this pandemic."
"The President remains hopeful that we can have bipartisan support moving forward. I will only support proposals that will get us through and end the pain of this pandemic," the statement added. "For the sake of the country, we must work together with laser focus to defeat the COVID-19 crisis, support our neighbors and communities who continue to suffer and get back to a more normal life as quickly as possible."
Manchin's comments come just a day after Democratic leaders in the House and Senate filed a joint budget resolution in an effort to pass President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan without any Republican votes. The resolution was filed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
"Congress has a responsibility to quickly deliver immediate comprehensive relief to the American people hurting from COVID-19," Schumer and Pelosi said in a joint statement. "The cost of inaction is high and growing, and the time for decisive action is now."
But to pass the bill without bipartisan support, Democrats will need all members of their party to vote in favor.
Speaking with The Hill, Manchin also signaled his opposition to increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour, which is part of Biden's plan.
"No, I'm not [in favor of the wage increase]. I'm supportive of basically having something that's responsible and reasonable," Manchin told The Hill.
While Manchin expressed his opposition to raising the minimum wage and passing the stimulus without bipartisan support, just last week Senator Dick Durbin confirmed that discussions were underway to pass the $15 minimum wage bill without any GOP support.
"It's being discussed. I don't know that a final decision has been reached," Durbin told The Hill while speaking about increasing the minimum wage through the budget reconciliation process.
Newsweek was directed to Manchin's statement after reaching out to his office for comment.
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So Manchin wants to be more important than the president of the United States now. They should tell him to go fuck himself. He cant even bring his state along with him for the Democratic candidate for president. West Virginia hasnt voted for the Democratic presidential candidate in all the time Manchin has been in office.
Biden should work on getting one of the Republican senators to switch on this vote. There is no rule preventing a Republican from voting yes on reconciliation.
One thing the Democrats need to do is make sure that a vote on the covid stimulus comes to a floor vote. Let's get these Republicans and Manchin on record denying 1400 dollar checks to their constituents.
You would think that since Manchin's state is close to last in everything that he would want to get the citizens of WV $1,400 check and of course money for the state government which is hurting.
Oh well, he's got his.
Actually, one shouldn't make assumptions as you just did.
Cheers.
The Biden plan has the individual cutoff at 75,000 dollars a year. The GOP plan has it at 50,000. The 50,000 figure would leave out most teachers, nurses, police officers and firefighters.
I really want to see all these Republicans, and Joe Manchin explain to their voters why they went against this.
When McConnell was in charge this type of thing would never even be brought for a vote if McConnell wasnt for it.
That is no longer the case and these Republicans will have to vote no and then explain it to their constituents.
So this sentence by you was meaningless?
How do you determine who "needs it" unless you use their income as a basis?
It's good he's in favor of that. But this is not a good time for him to be playing partisan politics.
Don't ask me any more questions. I cant help you with your confusion.
It's not a good time for partisan politics period!
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Because he is the focus of the article.
How dare he challenge the left's Trojan Horse King?
They should tell him to go fuck himself.
Yep, oh does the left love absolute power!
He cant even bring his state along with him for the Democratic candidate for president. West Virginia hasnt voted for the Democratic presidential candidate in all the time Manchin has been in office.
Perhaps democrat presidential candidates should stop telling WV voters that they want to take their jobs away?
Biden should work on getting one of the Republican senators to switch on this vote. There is no rule preventing a Republican from voting yes on reconciliation.
That's the nasty part to this. Although Manchin wants debate, he has already gone along with reconciliation. That may mean this was all for show and the American people will get their covid relief, but 170 Billion will go to schools that the Teachers Union have no intention of returning to, about 250 Billion for fiscally dysfunctional blue states and lots more for the dems special interest groups. A minimum wage is also stuck in there. Progressives must be beaming.
One thing the Democrats need to do is make sure that a vote on the covid stimulus comes to a floor vote.
Ya, let's play politics too! Funny how Pelosi was in no rush before the election.
Let's get these Republicans and Manchin on record denying 1400 dollar checks to their constituents.
$1,400 for Americans and much more for democrat special interests.
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I agree with Manchin, from $7.50 all the way to $15.00 is not only not related to COVID relief, it's just too far.
It looks like a pawn that is expendable in the long run.
All keeping the minimum wage low does is force the government to subsidize low wage employers by transferring the burden of help to low wage earners from the employer to the government.
Im guessing that dems are finding out things wont be a walk in the park having total control.....