Senator Joe Manchin (DW.Va.), America’s biggest undecided voter, told me on “Axios on HBO” that he will insist that Republicans have more say in President Biden’s next big package than in the COVID stimulus.
The big picture: Manchin said he will push for tax increases to pay for Biden’s future infrastructure and climate proposal, and will use his chairmanship of the Energy Committee to force the Republican Party to confront the climate reality.
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Why does it matter: My conversation yielded the most extensive preview of how Manchin – a Democrat from a Trump state, in a 50-50 Senate, who loves to face a Democratic White House – will use his unique power.
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Manchin, 73, said Biden expects, and understands, resistance: “He is the first president we have had to really, really understand how the Senate works since LBJ.”
Manchin said that, with just a few concessions, it would have been possible to include some Republicans in the COVID aid package that passed the Senate this weekend in a party vote. And he said he would block Biden’s next big package – $ 2 trillion to $ 4 trillion for climate and infrastructure – if Republicans are not included.
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“I will not do it through reconciliation, “which requires only a simple majority, like the COVID stimulus, said Manchin.” I will not receive an account that completely excludes them before we start trying. “
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Asked if he believes it is possible to get 10 Republicans in the infrastructure package, which could yield the 60 votes required under normal Senate rules, said Manchin: “Of course, yes.”
Manchin said the infrastructure project it can be big – up to $ 4 trillion – as long as it is paid for with tax increases. He said he will start his negotiation by demanding that the package be paid 100%.
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Manchin said that, with all the debts we are accumulating, he is concerned with “a tremendous and deep recession that could lead to depression if we are not careful … we are just getting ready”.
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He spoke loudly a series of tax increases, including raising the corporate tax rate from the current 21% to 25% “at least”, and the repeal of “many” Trump tax cuts for the wealthy.
Manchin, sitting with HBO in the Energy Committee hearing room, where he now holds the hammer, said he will use his new position “to try to inject some reality” – starting with a “weather facts” hearing.
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Asked about Republican senators who do not say that humans affected the climate, Manchin said: “Well, I think they know that.”
Manchin warned Democratic comrades about forcing legislation by a simple majority: “I would tell my friends that. You have power … Don’t abuse it. And that’s exactly what you will be doing if you expel the obstructionist.”
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