Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Joe Manchin says he will derail Biden climate package if Republicans are not included in negotiations

The senator from West Virginia refuses to pass the bill using reconciliation

Graig Graziosi
Monday 08 March 2021 23:41 GMT
Comments
West Virginia Democratic Senator Joe Manchin will be at the centre of legislative negotiations throughout the first half of the Biden administration.
West Virginia Democratic Senator Joe Manchin will be at the centre of legislative negotiations throughout the first half of the Biden administration. (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sen. Joe Manchin said he may block Joe Biden's climate change and infrastructure package unless Republicans are allowed more influence during negotiations.

Mr Manchin, who describes himself as a "moderate" Democrat, carries an important vote in the near evenly-divided Senate. He wants to see Republicans have more say in the negotiations than they did in the $1.9tn coronavirus stimulus discussion.

Democrats managed to pass the coronavirus stimulus using reconciliation, which only requires a simple majority. Mr Manchin said he refused to use reconciliation to pass the climate and infrastructure package.

“I am not going to get on a bill that cuts them out completely before we start trying,” Mr Manchin told Axios.

The senator is the chairman of the Senate Energy Committee, and threatened to use his position to hold up the legislation if Mr Biden tries to move on his climate agenda without Republican consent.

On Sunday, Mr Manchin appeared on ABC's "This Week" and was asked if the president would have to cater to his agenda.

He replied "not at all."

Mr Manchin was one of eight Democratic Senators who defected to vote against the $15 minimum wage provision in the coronavirus relief package.

Campaign donors to Mr Manchin include PACs from the oil, natural gas, electric and mining industries.

Coal mining and other energy industries dominate West Virginia's economy.

Despite his threats, Mr Manchin said he was confident he could secure Republican votes to ensure that Mr Biden's infrastructure bill is passed, so long as it is done without reconciliation.

The cost of that package is expected to be between $2 trillion and $4 trillion.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in