Manchin Statement on Infrastructure and Reconciliation Negotiations

[Calista241]

Source: Senate.gov

“Every Member of Congress has a solemn duty to vote for what they believe is best for the country and the American people, not their party. Respectfully, as I have said for months, I can’t support $3.5 trillion more in spending when we have already spent $5.4 trillion since last March. At some point, all of us, regardless of party must ask the simple question – how much is enough?

What I have made clear to the President and Democratic leaders is that spending trillions more on new and expanded government programs, when we can’t even pay for the essential social programs, like Social Security and Medicare, is the definition of fiscal insanity. Suggesting that spending trillions more will not have an impact on inflation ignores the everyday reality that America’s families continue pay an unavoidable inflation tax. Proposing a historic expansion of social programs while ignoring the fact we are not in a recession and that millions of jobs remain open will only feed a dysfunction that could weaken our economic recovery. This is the shared reality we all now face, and it is this reality that must shape the future decisions that we, as elected leaders, must make.

Since the beginning of this reconciliation debate, I have been consistent in my belief that any expansion of social programs must be targeted to those in need, not expanded beyond what is fiscally possible. Our tax code should be reformed to fix the flaws of the 2017 tax bill and ensure everyone pays their fair share but it should not weaken our global competitiveness or the ability of millions of small businesses to compete with the Amazons of the world. Overall, the amount we spend now must be balanced with what we need and can afford – not designed to reengineer the social and economic fabric of this nation or vengefully tax for the sake of wishful spending.

In August, I recommended we take a strategic pause to provide time to develop the right policies and to continue to monitor how the pandemic and economic factors are affecting our nation’s fiscal situation before we spend more. Throughout September, I have made it clear to all those who would listen the need to means test any new social programs so that we are helping those who need it the most, not spend for the sake of spending.

Read more: https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-statement-on-infrastructure-and-reconcilliation-negotiations

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Looks like it’s over.

[Crowman2009]

1. Did I do a good job daddy Koch?

That's what he probably said in a phone call from his overlords.

[Crowman2009]

2. Strategic pause equals, drag this out till the Dems lose in 2022 (speculatively)

[Ollie Garkie]

3. asshole

[Nasruddin]

4. Authentic Frontier Gibberish

Proposing a historic expansion of social programs while ignoring the fact we are not in a recession and that millions of jobs remain open will only feed a dysfunction that could weaken our economic recovery.

[Duppers]

10. Gibberish indeed!

As mentioned above, he's pleasing his overlords.

[left-of-center2012]

5. His 'strategic pause' ...

Reminds me of when the Republicans would not approve Obama's supreme Court nominee.

[Bay Area Babe]

6. Let him know what you think...

I was looking at his Instagram acct. if you want
To send a message - I think he needs to hear from more people…

[gopiscrap]

24. welcome to DU

[Moostache]

7. And there it is - the cold hard truth...we NEVER had a true Senate majority to begin with.

Move over Joe Lieberman, you have company in the pseudo-Democrat Hall of Fame for torching progress when the opportunity is staring the party and the country in the face.

Sure glad we got to name all of those uber-effective committee chairs...bang up job getting significant legislation or even fucking ideas advanced.

Might as well grab some marshmallows and toast them over the burning embers of our democracy in the remaining months it has left to exist now...

[FBaggins]

13. Close... but not quite

It’s just that the things that people expect when their party wins all three elected political levers of government - can be very different from what you can achieve with the tiniest of majorities. Just consider how difficult health care alone was when we had 60 Senators

I had assumed that the left end of the party (admittedly being much larger) would start by shooting for the moon… and settle for something much smaller. I didn’t expect that “it’s everything we want or nothing at all” to be anything other than a negotiating position.

I still expect that to be the eventual result… but admit it’s looking less likely now.

[Layzeebeaver]

8. "American People" stands for "My Political Donors"

"Can't even pay for social security"? A total lie.

Fuck that guy.

[SunSeeker]

9. OFFS, Manchin, we are NOT "spending for the sake of spending."

Notice he doesn't identify a SINGLE spending item in that bill that he thinks we shouldn't be spending money on.

[Mike Nelson]

11. Well...

... has he answered his own question, "How much is enough?"

[Rollo]

12. One word: Epipen

[jaxexpat]

14. That deserves a comment.

Dear poster,
I must object to any insinuation that the term "Epipen" has a place in our home. My wife has her own banking accounts and I have mine. It is the way I like it, thank you very much. She buys all the groceries and pays the help from her accounts. My account is NONE of your business. She told me we had a big silver polishing invoice come in unexpectedly so she had to unload some stock to pay it. I can assure you that created a big ruckus in our household as for years I have encouraged her to employ plastic cutlery. Plastic being a very sound use for petroleum by-products, which is good for America. Heck, Epipens are made of plastic, too.
Respectfully your,
Senator Joe Manchin

[Galraedia]

15. "We're going to do whatever it takes. If it takes $4 trillion, I'd do $4 trillion..."

“We’re going to do whatever it takes. If it takes $4 trillion, I’d do $4 trillion but we have to pay for it” - Joe Manchin on April 15, 2021

It's already paid for with tax increases on billionaires and wealthy corporations. Moron Manchin is just full of it.

[Bayard]

23. What part of, billionaires and wealthy corporations finally paying taxes

Does he not understand, or want to believe? I'm sure Biden has whacked him over the head with that fact.

He just doesn't want to play. Period. I have to think he IS playing with rethuglicans to sink President Biden's agenda. Same for Senator Enema.

[greblach]

16. I think we have his final number...

Zero $...kind of like the worth of his thought process...

[turbinetree]

17. %$#@&*&#@! Joe Manchin

[lonely bird]

18. Not to mention

It is 3.5 Trillion OVER 10 YEARS. 350 Billion a year, not 3.5 Trillion right now.

[Midnight Writer]

21. Exactly. Touting the 3.5 trillion number is misleading.

Most people see this like it will be spent tomorrow, and not doled out over ten or more years.

In relation to our overall budget, it is significant but not outrageous. Less than half our defense budget.

[olegramps]

19. Decisive action should be taken against those who are in direct opposition to the Party's majority.

His membership in the Party should be in question and action taken to expel those who are jeopardizing the future of the the Party. He is so tied to his corporate sponsors who put him in office that he does not deserve to run with the Party's support especially its financial backing. These renegades who openly oppose the Party's objectives are often solely serving their own selfish interest, usually it is just plain greed for for money or power.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

20. He's changed his tune.

Six months ago he said, "I was sent here to represent my constituents' interests." Now that his constituents have made it overwhelming clear that they want both bills passed, he suddenly discovers Social Security -- which many of them depend on -- and other programs that would greatly benefit them, and says, "Fuck you, constituents, I've got my personal fortune to look after." His logic is bullshit, and his constituents need to let him know so in unequivalent terms. It's time to make good trouble West Virginians. Biden has explained how his plan will be paid for. Tell Manchin to support his constituents, his president, and his party.

[Eliot Rosewater]

22. Devastating news for tens of millions who need help. ASSHOLE

But I think he answers to someone with a whole lot of money.

[BlueIdaho]

25. Does this guy live under a rock?

Or does he think we do? This whole “Can’t afford more spending” arfument is easily deflated by one simple phrase - Tax The Rich. Doesn’t matter if it’s Social Security or other social programs - make the wealthy pay their fair share and it’s problem solved.

I’ll bet he doesn’t have the same qualms about military spending.