Once again, Sen. Joe Manchin stands up against his fellow cry-baby Democrats and becomes the big man.
Sen. Manchin said that Congress needs to get serious about reducing its spending plans after the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported higher than expected inflation in June.
On Thursday, Sen. Manchin told Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer that he will oppose an economic measure they have been negotiating if it includes climate or energy provisions or boosts taxes on the rich or corporations.
Here’s what Manchin said in a statement:
“For more than a year, leaders in Washington have ignored the serious concerns raised by myself and others about the rising cost of inflation. No matter what spending aspirations some in Congress may have, it is clear to anyone who visits a grocery store or a gas station that we cannot add any more fuel to this inflation fire.”
According to reports, Schumer reportedly tried to negotiate the climate provisions, but Manchin would not budge an inch.
Manchin says he won’t support new climate spending or tax hikes on wealthy – The Washington Post: * Manchin says he won’t support new climate spending or tax hikes on wealthy The Washington Post
* Manchin rejects climate, tax elements of party-line Dem… https://t.co/5wZJxfUN6D— Solomon Phoenix (@SolomonPhoenix_) July 15, 2022
Manchin was explicit that he won’t support a bill before the midterms with any provisions on energy and climate or closing tax loopholes exploited by the wealthy and biggest corporations, despite his support for those specific things during months of negotiations.
The West Virginia senator single-handedly shut down Democrats’ $2 trillion, 10-year social and environmental bill in December, and has since been negotiating with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on a bill about half that size.
Manchin’s demands mean Democrats would probably only be able to produce a far smaller bill that erases the hopes of many in the party to use it to fund clean energy incentives that could begin to help curb global warming.
The Gateway Pundit added:
Manchin’s staff told The Washington Post, “Political headlines are of no value to the millions of Americans struggling to afford groceries and gas as inflation soars to 9.1%,”
Manchin spokeswoman Sam Runyon said in a statement. “Senator Manchin believes it’s time for leaders to put political agendas aside, reevaluate and adjust to the economic realities the country faces to avoid taking steps that add fuel to the inflation fire.”
Schumer and Manchin had focused recent discussions on H.R. 5376 (117), spending as much as $500 billion, mainly on climate and energy, while raising $1 trillion in new revenues from prescription drug reform and tax increases.
But, Manchin’s decision to reject the proposed package stalls the government spending further, leaving Democrats with a struggle going into the midterms.
Sources: TheGatewayPundit, Build Back Better Act, CNN
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