Manchin holds out until last minute on elections vote
Sen. Joe Manchin declined on Monday to commit to advancing Democrats’ sweeping elections bill, saying he would need more assurances that his proposed changes would be adopted.
It may seem like a picayune matter given that no Republicans support the bill and the GOP is expected to filibuster the effort on Tuesday. But Democrats want to send a political message, and they need Manchin’s vote to paint a more vivid contrast with Republicans’ blockade.
The West Virginia Democrat opposes the Democrats’ sweeping elections bill but is undecided on whether to vote to start debate on it. All other Senate Democrats have co-sponsored the legislation.
Manchin has proposed a compromise bill focused on expanding early voting and ending partisan gerrymandering; it would cut some of the bill’s other elements, like publicly financed elections. He told reporters on Monday he’s still working on his compromise with fellow Democrats and that “there’d have to be an agreement to get on the substitute.”
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/manchin-holds-out-until-last-minute-on-elections-vote/ar-AALhTu8
= new reply since forum marked as read
He might even rename the bill “The Joe ‘don’t call me Strom’ Manchin Voting Rights Act” 
Then, when Mitch filibusters the bill, Manchin will have little choice but to vote to change the filibuster rule.
