President Biden chose the wife of an extremely influential American senator for a position on the federal commission, the White House announced on Friday.
Biden appointed Gayle Conelly Manchin to co-chair the Appalachian Regional Commission, an economic development partnership with 13 states designed to boost investment in the Appalachian region.
Manchin is an educator, former president of the West Virginia State Board of Education and former West Virginia first lady.
US Senator for West Virginia (D) Joe Manchin III accompanies his wife Gayle when he is sworn in by Vice President Mike Pence during oath re-enactments for newly elected senators in the Old Senate House on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC January 3 2019. (Photo by Alex EDELMAN / AFP) (Photo credit should be ALEX EDELMAN / AFP via Getty Images)
She has been married for 53 years to Senator Joe Manchin, DW.Va., a critical Senate vote for Biden if he wants any of his top legislative priorities to pass.
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With Democrats having the smallest majorities with a 50-50 split and Vice President Kamala Harris casting the tie, Manchin’s influence in the Senate has grown tremendously.
As a moderate of a red state, Manchin openly rejected some of the Democrats’ boldest ideas, including the $ 15 minimum wage, eliminating obstruction and long-range gun control legislation. Their resistance forced concessions.
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For example, during the passage of the $ 1.9 trillion coronavirus relief legislation, in which Democrats needed to be fully united, Manchin and the White House were in negotiations that ended up reducing the value of unemployment insurance benefits. in the final package approved by the party lines.
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The Appalachian Regional Commission includes the governors of each of the 13 Appalachian states and the federal co-president who is appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. It operates with a budget of around $ 165 million.
It was not immediately clear when Manchin’s vote of confirmation would be presented to the Senate.