WASHINGTON: During a private meeting in July, Sen. Joe Manchin and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer talked about whether to begin the process of considering a massive social and environmental bill on President Joe Bidens to unlock Manchin’s vote to Democrats. What would actually have to be done.
What came out was a one-page, unformatted document where West Virginia Democrats put forth their views. Both signed it with reservation.
Almost five months later, much of what Manchin wanted has been given. But fellow Democrats appear to be nowhere close to garnering the conservative senator’s support for his far-reaching domestic package. After being passed by the House, the bill is now stalled in the Senate.
Here’s a look at what Manchin wanted then and where the law is now.
topline dollar
Manchin wrote in the document that he wanted $1. The $5 trillion topline is far less than the $3.5 trillion Biden proposed.
When it became clear that Mnuchin could accept it, Biden halved the amount to $1.75 trillion. The bill is now about $2 trillion.
strategic break
Munchkin did not want to start a debate on the law before October 1.
In the latter opinion he suggested a strategic break.
That date has passed.
taxes
Munchkin insisted on the corporate tax rate, which Biden proposed to increase to 28%, and not inches higher than 25%. In fact, it was not picked up at all, due to opposition from another held-out Democrat from Arizona, Sen. Kirsten Cinema.
Munchkin also proposed a 15% corporate minimum rate, as now included in the bill.
He wanted any additional revenue to go toward paying off debt, but that idea was never accepted by the Democrats.
Climate change
The coal-state senator insisted on essentially a fuel neutral energy policy that does not favor wind, solar and other renewable energy sources over fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas.
Manchin pushed for a plan for a clean energy standard to be run through the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which he chairs.
Following Manchin protests, the White House scrapped plans for a nationwide clean energy standard, which environmental advocates see as the most important tool to halt climate change.
The new incentive for renewable energy sources did not come with a rollback on coal, oil or natural gas.
This week, Manchin, as chairman of the energy panel, removed a Democratic proposal to permanently ban offshore drilling in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Environmentalists strongly opposed his move, and many Democrats said they would fight to reinstate the drilling ban, which gained new momentum after a devastating oil spill off the California coast this fall.
Despite Manchin’s criticism, Democrats are on track to impose tariffs on additional methane emissions from oil and gas wells.
social policy
Much of Munchkin’s public opposition to the size and scope of the package centers on his investment in the historic social programs Child Tax Credit, a new federally paid family leave program and low-cost child care.
his reasoning? Well, Manchin reiterates a phrase on these talks: I do not believe that we should transform our society into an entitled society.
As he wrote in his memo, the senators are adamant about the additional handouts. He wants many social service programs meant to be tested to apply only to those in the low-income range.
As a result, the new paid family and medical leave programs, which Democrats so desperately want, could be completely destroyed, dashing their hopes of getting the US off the rest of the list of countries without some sort of national paid leave. Huh.
The most recent debate centers around expanding the child tax credit, passed earlier this year as part of pandemic relief legislation. The program is a key stone in democratic efforts to reduce child poverty, sending up to $300 per child per month directly into families’ bank accounts. Studies say the extension is expected to reduce child poverty by 40%, benefiting 9 out of 10 American children.
Without action by Congress, the program will end and this month’s checks will be final.
Manchin now says he wants the child tax credit program extended for the full 10-year budget window, not just one year of nonstarter, because the price tag will consume most of Biden’s bill, on health care, child care Will crowdsource other major initiatives. education and much more.
Not all programs were going to move in 10 years. That’s not going to happen, Representative Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., leader of the Congress Progressive Caucus, told The Associated Press on Friday.
Jayapal said Munchkin agreed in October to a framework for the bill, which clarified the plans’ priorities and costs, but did not limit the duration of any of them. Munchkin, he predicted, will stick to his commitment.”
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Associated Press writers Alan Fram and Matthew Daly contributed.
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