Image WSJ Manchin Won’t Vote for ‘Build Back Better’.
Manchin’s Statement
Please consider Senator Manchin’s Statement On Build Back Better Act
Emphasis is mine. These are key snips.
“For five and a half months, I have worked as diligently as possible meeting with President Biden, Majority Leader Schumer, Speaker Pelosi and my colleagues on every end of the political spectrum to determine the best path forward despite my serious reservations. I have made my concerns clear through public statements, op-eds and private conversations. My concerns have only increased as the pandemic surges on, inflation rises and geopolitical uncertainty increases around the world.
“I have always said, ‘If I can’t go back home and explain it, I can’t vote for it.’ Despite my best efforts, I cannot explain the sweeping Build Back Better Act in West Virginia and I cannot vote to move forward on this mammoth piece of legislation.
“My Democratic colleagues in Washington are determined to dramatically reshape our society in a way that leaves our country even more vulnerable to the threats we face. I cannot take that risk with a staggering debt of more than $29 trillion and inflation taxes that are real and harmful to every hard-working American at the gasoline pumps, grocery stores and utility bills with no end in sight.
“The American people deserve transparency on the true cost of the Build Back Better Act. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office determined the cost is upwards of $4.5 trillion which is more than double what the bill’s ardent supporters have claimed. They continue to camouflage the real cost of the intent behind this bill.
“If enacted, the bill will also risk the reliability of our electric grid and increase our dependence on foreign supply chains. The energy transition my colleagues seek is already well underway in the United States of America.
“I will continue working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to address the needs of all Americans and do so in a way that does not risk our nation’s independence, security and way of life.”
Every Point an Honest One
Every point above is an honest one. Manchin has been saying the same things over and over and over again since April.
Manchin’s Demand List
- $1.7 Trillion fully paid budget up from $1.5 Trillion – Position since April
- Means-testing child-care subsidies and the child tax credit – Position since April
- Concerned over inflation – Position since April
- No timeline gimmicks of expiring programs to make a fake budget – Position since April
- No paid family leave – Position since April
- No new entitlements that aren’t means-tested or don’t require work – Position since April
In addition to the above, Manchin will not go along with proposals to change Parliamentary rules, pack the court, or end the filibuster. Those have been his position forever.
Statement from Press Secretary Jen Psaki
In response to Manchin’s statement here is the Statement from Press Secretary Jen Psaki
Senator Manchin’s comments this morning on FOX are at odds with his discussions this week with the President, with White House staff, and with his own public utterances. Weeks ago, Senator Manchin committed to the President, at his home in Wilmington, to support the Build Back Better framework that the President then subsequently announced. Senator Manchin pledged repeatedly to negotiate on finalizing that framework “in good faith.”
That paragraph is at best disingenuous. Some of it appears to be an outright lie.
Manchin certainly did not commit to the “framework” of the bill that came out of the House.
Indeed, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Progressive Caucus Group openly flaunted Manchin’s key demand list.
On Tuesday of this week, Senator Manchin came to the White House and submitted—to the President, in person, directly—a written outline for a Build Back Better bill that was the same size and scope as the President’s framework, and covered many of the same priorities. While that framework was missing key priorities, we believed it could lead to a compromise acceptable to all.
Hello Ms. Psaki, please post precisely the outline Manchin submitted. Then we can decide how similar the outlines are.
If it was the same size and scope then Biden should have embraced it right then and there! The statement breads like a blatant lie.
If not, produce the outline.
Manchin promised to continue conversations in the days ahead, and to work with us to reach that common ground. If his comments on FOX and written statement indicate an end to that effort, they represent a sudden and inexplicable reversal in his position, and a breach of his commitments to the President and the Senator’s colleagues in the House and Senate.
This is a he said, she said hearsay debate. But once again we must place our faith in someone who has been rock solid stable since April.
Most of the rest of Psaki’s statement is a political attack on Manchin. Here is Psaki’s conclusion.
But we will not relent in the fight to help Americans with their child care, health care, prescription drug costs, and elder care—and to combat climate change. The fight for Build Back Better is too important to give up. We will find a way to move forward next year.
Climate Policy Effects of Manchin’s “No” on Build Back Better
Axios discusses the Climate Policy Effects of Manchin’s “No” on Build Back Better
The big picture: Had it moved forward, the legislation would have been the biggest climate legislation ever enacted by the U.S., and would have hastened the transition of the country’s power and transportation sectors away from fossil fuels to renewable sources.
Details: The administration’s climate goals are ambitious, and would have been difficult to meet even if the Build Back Better legislation was enacted. But now, the target of achieving 100% clean electricity by 2035, which the bill sought to hasten, and getting to net zero emissions by 2050, look even more remote.
What’s next: Assuming the legislation is dead and cannot be revived in a different form, the Biden administration still has options for moving ahead on climate. These include pursuing regulatory and executive actions to crack down on emissions of planet-warming greenhouse gases such as methane and carbon dioxide.
There may also be increased pressure from environmental groups to push the White House to declare a “climate emergency,” which could provide some flexibility for taking certain actions administratively, though they would not be nearly as sweeping in size or scope as the legislative route would have been.
Sanders Blasts Manchin
AOC Moans
Perfect Solution
Across the board Democrats are moaning about how one Democrat Senator is blocking the wishes of 49, a majority in the House and the President.
To stop the nonsense, Senator Manchin should switch parties. That would firmly change the math as it would not be Manchin alone stopping the Democrats.
Then, following the Midterms in which Democrats get smashed and lose control of the House, all they will have is a president against a united Congress.
Perfect Excuse
Manchin should use Psaki’s political attack and outright lies as his excuse to leave the Democratic Party.
Then it won’t be 49 to 1, it will be 51-49 ending this Build Back Better nonsense once and for all.
Art of the No Deal
Meanwhile, thank you Progressives for another lesson on the “Art of the No Deal“.
Trump made so many demands on China, the UK, the EU, and on the Wall that he never scored any deals.
Biden and the Progressives have just done the same thing.
Thanks for Tuning In!
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