Manchin Urges Focus on 'Conventional' Infrastructure

[DonViejo]

By Billy House

April 23, 2021, 3:14 PM EDT Updated on April 23, 2021, 4:24 PM EDT

Democrat says Biden social programs could come as a next step

Rising sentiment in Congress to split Biden plan into pieces

Key moderate Senator Joe Manchin said President Joe Biden and Congress should focus on “conventional” infrastructure projects like roadways and bridges, in another sign of building sentiment to split up the administration’s expansive $2.25 trillion plan.

The West Virginia Democrat was joined by a group of other centrist lawmakers from both parties for a discussion on infrastructure Friday ahead of Biden’s address to a joint session of Congress next week. The president will be making his case for his second longer-term economic plan, which goes beyond building projects to include social safety net programs.

“What we think the greatest need we have now, that can be done in a bipartisan way, is conventional infrastructure,” Manchin said. “Water, sewer, roads, bridges, internet -- things that we know need to be repaired, be fixed.” Noting that Biden’s proposals include “human infrastructure,” Manchin said, “We believe that we should take step by step.”

Manchin’s support will be critical for Biden in a Senate that’s split 50-50 between the two parties. He suggested a two-track approach that deals first with physical infrastructure, which offers the best chance to get some Republican support, with spending on transportation systems, water projects and communications networks.

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https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-04-23/manchin-says-biden-should-focus-on-conventional-infrastructure

[LymphocyteLover]

1. oh FFS, these assholes

[LymphocyteLover]

2. at least he includes internet in infrastructure but this obsession with bipartisanship

is killing us

[NoMoreRepugs]

3. RePutinicans can't even spell "bipartisanship" let alone

participate in it.

[Beastly Boy]

4. Sure, a knee-jerk reaction to bash Manchin is tempting. But let me make something absolutely clear:

THE DEMOCRATS WILL NOT FIND ANY ADDITIONAL SUPPORT ON THE LEFT. Period. It's all there already. In a 50/50 Senate, any movement on PASSING any legislation depends on the support from the legislators to Manchin's right. The reconciliation bill(s) is an exception to this, not the rule. The success of Biden's agenda depends on being able to pass legislation for at least the next four years, not just this year. Ignoring this obvious fact will surely lead to failure in the long term. And, looking forward, the time to build alliances with people to Manchin's right is now, no matter how ideologically distasteful some Democrats may find it. In this respect, Manchin is indispensable to the Democrats, like it or not.

[kacekwl]

6. No it depends on passing legislation for the next year and a half.

If they get through voter suppression laws as they doing are RIGHT now we won't have a majority to do anything. Now is the time not later cause there is no later.

[Beastly Boy]

8. Who are "they" you are referring to?

State legislators? How can a US Senate stop states from legislating? The only way to do this is through the judiciary branch, and Manchin, or the US Senate, have nothing to do with it. And if you are referring to passing new voting rights laws, it cannot be done in a reconciliation bill: it will require 60 votes in the Senate. How do you propose to find 10 senators to the right of Manchin in the next year and a half? Alienate Manchin?

[Beastly Boy]

10. Neither will you.

If you have something to say about the issue, go ahead, but if you don't, keep your comments about me to yourself.

[tinrobot]

14. That was uncalled for...

You can choose to disagree with someone, but "why don't you marry him" is your best response?

Jeez.

[MineralMan]

15. Too far.

[Bettie]

12. He could get Democrats to lower the infrastructure bill to thirty bucks

and not a single Republican would vote for it.

Manchin is simply enjoying being "King of the Senate" he and he alone decides which bills will pass.

[Beastly Boy]

13. Manchin is absolutely on an ego trip right now.

But the fact remains: all the support for Biden's agenda in the Senate has been accounted for. Without appealing to the additional senators on the right, no legislation beyond the reconciliation bill is possible. This is the card Schumer has been dealt, and that's what he must play. Unless the Democrats decide to sit on their hands until 2022 and see if the composition of the Senate changes in their favor (or against them), Manchin will remain the key senator for the duration of this Congress.

Provided that all of the Senate dynamics remain unchanged, I would be very surprised if you were proven to be wrong about the Republicans lending any support to the Democrats. This means that, if the Senate is to move forward, the aforementioned dynamics need to be changed. It is self-evident that the changes can only come from Manchin's right. I am not ready to give up on moving past the current stalemate, and, it appears, neither is Schumer. He has proven to be a wily politician who knows how to get things done, and he needs Manchin to get things done.

[kacekwl]

5. Wake up dummy and crawl out of the 70's.

Also the republicans won't support anything unless they keep the bullshit tax cuts for billionaires.

[eShirl]

7. like blacksmith shops and icehouses?

the world continues to change

[msfiddlestix]

11. In this context, "Conventional" is just another term for Status Quo n/t