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Senator Joe Manchin said Wednesday morning he had “serious concerns” about his party’s massive $ 3.5 trillion spending plan, signaling that he may intend to block much of the backed package by President Biden due to inflation and debt issues.
“Early this morning, I voted ‘YES’ on a procedural vote to move the budget reconciliation process forward because I think it is important to discuss the future of this country’s fiscal policy,” said Manchin, DW.Va., said in a statement. . “However, I have serious concerns about the dire consequences facing West Virginia and every American family if Congress decides to spend an additional $ 3.5 trillion.”
Manchin is not the first moderate Democrat to express qualms about the massive spending plan championed by Senate Budget Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. Senator Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., Said last month, “Although I will support the start of this process [of budget reconciliation], I do not support a bill that costs $ 3.5 trillion. “
BILL INFRASTRUCTURE FACING HARD OBSTACLES IN THE HOUSE AS DEMAND REQUESTS $ 3.5T MASSIVE LIBERAL WISHLIST
But the timing of Manchin’s statement and the fact that there are now two Democrats expressing at least some level of opposition to massive spending signal that the final bill may have to be cut significantly to get 50 Democratic votes in the Senate. that he will need. But reducing the bill could cause other problems, however – it is uncertain whether progressives in the House or Senate will agree to a reconciliation bill that is significantly reduced.
Any Democratic senator or a handful of House Democrats can defeat the reconciliation bill because of their party’s tiny majorities in each chamber.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., And House progressives like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, DN.Y. passed through the Senate. This could lead to an impasse within the party.
Manchin went on Wednesday to warn of the potential consequences of such massive congressional spending.
“Over the past year, Congress has injected more than $ 5,000 billion in stimulus into the US economy – more than ever since World War II – to respond to the pandemic. The challenge we now face is different: millions of jobs remain vacant across the country and rising inflation rates are now an inevitable tax on the wages and incomes of every American, “he said. said. “These are not indications of an economy that requires billions in additional spending.”
“Adding billions more to nearly $ 29 trillion in national debt, without any consideration of the negative effects on our children and grandchildren, is one of those decisions that have become far too easy in Washington.” , added Manchin. “Given the current state of economic recovery, it is simply irresponsible to continue spending at levels more suited to respond to a Great Depression or a Great Recession – and not an economy on the verge of overheating. “
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y., said Wednesday he was not concerned about Manchin’s reluctance to support $ 3.5 trillion in spending.
“Some in my caucus might think it’s too much, there are some in my caucus who might think it’s too little,” Schumer said. “I can tell you this: in reconciliation, one, we’re all going to come together to do something and two, he’ll have every part of the Biden plan in a bold and robust way.”
Schumer added that it will “absolutely not be” “easy”, but said that “every member of our caucus realizes that unity is our strength.”
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Asked to respond specifically to Manchin’s inflation concerns, Schumer said Democrats plan to pay for their plan with tax increases that respect “Biden’s rules: closing loopholes, finally making the rich pay and to large companies their fair share “.
Republicans unanimously opposed the Democrats’ budget reconciliation effort. Former President Donald Trump said in a statement Wednesday: “This legislation is an attack on our nation, our communities and the American dream.”
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding Manchin’s statement.
The Senate successfully passed the Democrats’ budget resolution in the early hours of Wednesday morning with the help of Manchin and Sinema. It is likely to be approved by the House shortly after it returns to session later this month. But the real hard work of drafting and ultimately passing the legislation will likely last until the fall.
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