Manchin Willing to Talk New Climate, Economic Bill

MAR 25 2022·Updated JAN 23 2023

Story

Image credit: Graeme Sloan/Sipa USA/AP [via CNN.com]

The Facts

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.) has reportedly expressed interest in reviving parts of the Build Back Better bill, which he helped kill in Dec., with hopes of getting a vote before the Senate's Aug. recess.
The Washington Post
Manchin has outlined his goals for a new bill with fellow Democrats and the White House, and in a meeting with climate and energy executives this month.
Axios
He mentioned an "all-of-the above" approach to energy policy with $500B in funding, which would come from $1T in new revenue raised from new corporate taxes and savings from allowing Medicare to directly negotiate prescription drug prices.
Axios
The other half of the revenue, though, would have to be directed toward deficit reduction.
Axios
The White House and Dems are reportedly being "cautious" after being "burned" by Manchin in the past.
CNN
Democrats need Manchin's support because of their tenuous hold in the Senate, which is divided 50-50 between the two parties with the potential for VP Harris to vote as a tie-breaker.
New York Post

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Left narrative

Democrats and anyone that cares about the planet needs to think bigger than Manchin - with his economic ties to the fossil fuel industry - will ever allow. Combatting climate change should be the priority of any bill, not keeping old-school energy companies in business or addressing other financial issues.

wapo

Right narrative

With inflation on the rise and fuel prices unlikely to settle down during the war in Ukraine, this is no time for Manchin or any Democrat to suggest a $1 trillion tax increase on the America people, regardless of what issues the bill would address.

Newsmax

Cynical narrative

Biden has assured the American public on numerous occasions that Democrats had the votes to pass his agenda. But time and again he's overestimated the willingness of members of his own caucus to fall in line. Manchin has stood firm in his commitment to secure legislative wins for his constituents, but he's never been on board with the bigger agenda. Will this time really be different?

The Bulwark