Sen. Joe Manchin
Joseph (Joe) ManchinBiden faces a crossroads in the Schumer virus relief bill promises that the Senate will accept the “bold” coronavirus bill, rejecting the Republican Party offer. The White House says it is in contact with Manchin MORE (DW.Va.), a decisive vote by the center, announced on Tuesday that it will vote to advance a Democratic budget resolution, while warning that it wants the leadership to work with Republicans on a bipartisan relief package COVID-19.
“I will vote to move forward with the budget process because we must address the urgency of the COVID-19 crisis. But let me be clear – these are words I shared with President Biden – our focus should be on the COVID-19 crisis and on the Americans who were most affected by this pandemic, ”said Manchin in a statement released Tuesday afternoon. market.
Manchin’s comments signal that while he supports his fellow Democrats in a vote on a key procedure for approving a relief package for COVID-19, he can still block any package that the leadership tries to approve with only Democratic votes in the process. budgetary reconciliation.
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer
Chuck SchumerBipartisanship in two hands – the remedy for political tribalism Fallen Capitol Policeman to be honored at the Roundabout Senate Democrats say consideration of cannabis-related reforms will be a priority MORE (DN.Y.) said the Senate will start on Tuesday to lay the groundwork for passing a coronavirus relief bill with only a simple majority, an approach in which Manchin’s support is crucial for Democrats .
The Senate is expected to take an initial procedure vote on Tuesday afternoon to move towards a budget resolution. Once approved, the bill will allow Democrats to avoid obstructing 60 votes for a separate coronavirus aid bill.
On Tuesday, Manchin also indicated what he wants and does not want to see in a final relief measure.
“I will only support proposals that help us overcome and end the pain of this pandemic. For the good of the country, we must work together with the focus of the laser to overcome the crisis of COVID-19, support our neighbors and communities that continue to suffer and return to a more normal life as soon as possible ”, he said.
Manchin told reporters he would not support raising the minimum wage to $ 15 an hour, a component of Biden’s proposal, saying he would prefer “to have something that is responsible and reasonable”.
He calculated that dollar value at $ 11 an hour, adjusted for inflation, in West Virginia.
Manchin told reporters, before issuing Tuesday’s statement, that he wants Republicans to contribute to the COVID-19 relief bill. Ten Republican senators met with President Biden at the White House on Monday night to discuss his $ 618 billion counter proposal to President Biden’s $ 1.9 trillion plan.
Manchin has not indicated which price tag he is leaning on.
“I can’t tell you where the right numbers are, but when you have a good bipartisan opinion, you can discuss and debate, that’s when you get a good program. And we are committed and we are committed and everyone is committed to making this reconciliation open and bipartisan, ”he told reporters.
Sen. Susan Collins
Susan Margaret CollinsBiden faces a crossroads in the Biden virus relief bill, Republican Party senators agree to more COVID-19 talks after ‘excellent’ first meeting On The Money: Schumer promises that the Senate will accept the coronavirus bill ‘ bold ‘, rejecting the Republican Party offer | Republican senators, Biden send positive vibes after a long meeting with WH MORE (Maine), a key member of the 10 Republicans who met with Biden, also raised concerns about the minimum wage provision in Biden’s proposal, saying it should be dealt with separately from a COVID-19 relief bill.
“It is not relevant for treatment, economic recovery or the distribution of vaccines,” she said on Tuesday. “In fact, it would be very difficult for the hospitality industry, which has been particularly hurt.”
Manchin is under pressure from leading Democrats to support Biden’s proposal. Vice President Harris gave an interview last week to a West Virginia television station in which she highlighted how it would help people in the state who are struggling to feed their families during the pandemic.
Manchin expressed irritation that no one on Harris’ team or the White House gave him a warning about the interview.
The White House later turned to Manchin to repair the fences. The West Virginia senator said on Tuesday that “there is no need for an apology”.
Updated at 13:59