Manchin backs budget reconciliation of relief bill, but with a caveat

His. Joe manchinJoseph (Joe) Manchin Biden Faces Crossroads on Schumer Virus Relief Bill Promises Senate to Pass ‘Bold’ Coronavirus Bill, Rejecting GOP Offer The White House Says ” she was in contact with Manchin MORE (DW.Va.), a central pivot vote, said on Tuesday he would vote to advance a Democratic budget resolution, while warning that he wanted leaders to work with Republicans on a bipartisan COVID-relief plan. 19.

“I will vote to move the budget process forward because we need to respond to the urgency of the COVID-19 crisis. But let me be clear – these are words I shared with President Biden – we need to focus on the COVID-19 crisis and the Americans who have been most affected by this pandemic, ”Manchin said in a press release issued Tuesday afternoon.

Manchin’s remarks signal that while he will back his fellow Democrats in a key procedural vote to put in place the passage of a COVID-19 relief package, he could still block any package the leaders are trying to make. pass only with Democratic votes as part of the budget reconciliation process.

Majority Leader in the Senate Charles SchumerChuck Schumer: Two-handed bipartisanship – the cure for political tribalism Fallen Capitol police officer must lie in honor at Senate Rotunda Democrats say review of cannabis reforms will be a priority MORE (DN.Y.) said the Senate would begin laying the groundwork for passing a coronavirus relief bill on Tuesday with only a simple majority, an approach in which Manchin’s support is crucial for them. democrats.

The Senate is expected to take a first procedural vote on Tuesday afternoon to proceed with a budget resolution. Once passed, the bill will allow Democrats to avoid a 60-vote filibuster for a separate coronavirus relief bill.

Manchin also indicated on Tuesday what he was doing and did not want to see in a final relief measure.

“I will only support proposals that will allow us to get through and end the pain of this pandemic. For the good of the country, we must work together with laser focus to defeat the COVID-19 crisis, support our neighbors and our communities who continue to suffer and return to a more normal life as quickly as possible, ”he said. declared.

Manchin told reporters he would not support raising the minimum wage to $ 15 an hour, a component of Biden’s proposal, saying he would rather “have something responsible and reasonable.”

He put that dollar amount at $ 11 an hour, adjusted for inflation, in West Virginia.

Manchin told reporters ahead of releasing Tuesday’s statement that he wanted Republicans to have a say in the COVID-19 relief bill. Ten GOP senators met with President Biden at the White House on Monday evening to discuss their $ 618 billion counter-proposal to President Biden’s $ 1.9 trillion plan.

Manchin did not indicate what price he was turning.

“I can’t tell you where the right numbers are, but when you have a good bipartisan contribution you can discuss and debate, that’s where you get a good program. And we are committed and we are committed and everyone is committed to this reconciliation being done in an open and bipartisan way, ”he told reporters.

His. Susan collinsSusan Margaret Collins Biden Faces Crossroads on Biden Virus Relief Bill, GOP Senators Agree to Further COVID-19 Talks After ‘Excellent’ First Money Meeting: Schumer Promises Senate to Pass ‘Bold’ Coronavirus Bill, Rejecting GOP Offer | GOP Senators, Biden Sends Positive Waves After Long PM PLUS Meeting (Maine), a key member of the 10 Republicans who met with Biden, also raised concerns about the minimum wage provision in Biden’s proposal, saying it should be treated separately from a government bill. COVID-19 relief.

“It’s not relevant to treatment or economic recovery or vaccine release,” she said Tuesday. “In fact, it would be very difficult for the hospitality industry, which has been particularly affected.”

Manchin has come under pressure from the main Democrats to back Biden’s proposal. Vice President Harris gave an interview to a West Virginia TV station last week in which she highlighted how it would help people in the state who are struggling to feed their families during the pandemic.

Manchin expressed his irritation that no one from the Harris team or the White House gave him a warning about the interview.

The White House then contacted Manchin to repair the fences. The West Virginia senator said on Tuesday that no apology was needed.

Updated at 1:59 p.m.