Joe Manchin Puts Death Blow to Biden Agenda

Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) told Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer “unequivocally” that he will only support a reconciliation package if it does not include new spending to fight climate change or taxes on wealthy individuals or corporations.

Per The Hill:

Manchin has informed Schumer that if Democrats move the reconciliation bill in August, he will only support a provision to lower prescription drug prices and a two-year extension of expiring health insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, according to the source.

Manchin has backed away from a commitment he made privately to Schumer last week to close a tax loophole on wealthy individuals and couples who earn more than $400,000 and $500,000 annually in pass-through income. That revenue would have been used to extend the solvency of Medicare’s hospital trust fund by three years to 2031.

Despite the majority with Congress, the Senate and a Democrat in the White House, the Democrats have been able to get very little done.

“Political headlines are of no value to the millions of Americans struggling to afford groceries and gas as inflation soars to 9.1 percent. Sen. Manchin believes it’s time for leaders to put political agendas aside, reevaluate and adjust to the economic realities the country faces to avoid taking steps that add fuel to the inflation fire,” said Manchin’s spokeswoman, Sam Runyon.

Chuck Schumer's office did not issue a public response.