Joe Manchin Says Stimulus Package's Unemployment Benefits Should Stay at $300

[Polybius]

Source: Newsweek

Senator Joe Manchin is looking to decrease the unemployment payments in President Joe Biden's American Rescue Plan by $100, saying that giving people a financial boost at this point doesn't make sense.

The relief package would increase the federal unemployment benefit to $400, a $100 raise from the bill that was passed in December. Benefits are set to expire on March 14, raising the pressure for the Senate to pass another relief package, but Democrats face pressure from progressives to do more and moderates to do less.

Manchin told reporters at the Capitol on Tuesday that he supports $300 weekly unemployment payments because it's "consistent with what we've been doing."

The West Virginia Democrat said he would be fine with the payments going through August, as per the package. But with the assumption that most people will be inoculated against the coronavirus in June or July, he said businesses that are reopening will need their employees back at work.

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/joe-manchin-says-stimulus-packages-unemployment-benefits-should-stay-300-1573217

---

Now he's messing with those who are out of work like me. I really was looking forward to that extra $100 a week.

[kacekwl]

1. He or better yet the press should

ask his constituents how they feel.

[Miguelito Loveless]

2. Amazing that West Virgina

gets to dictate to the other 49 states.

[BradAllison]

11. Especially when it may be the shittiest state in the union (n/m)

[Wuddles440]

46. Oh..

I think there are actually several competing for that dubious distinction!

[Trueblue1968]

57. Manchin is a pain in the butt. he doesn't make sense.

[Magoo48]

58. He's a boil on the ass of our party.

There must be a way to leverage this corporate lapdog.

[vishnura]

3. Is he willing to take a cut too? $176K is is to much for these bloodsuckers!

[Irish_Dem]

4. "giving people a financial boost at this time doesn't make sense."

Manchin is the one who doesn't make sense.
He is going to keep picking at the bill until it is worthless.

[Maxheader]

9. Yeah, I didn't get that at all....

Manchin has nothing to prove an xtra hundred bucks is gonna make people become

irresponsible...

[Irish_Dem]

13. Right, he is just talking nonsense. And just goes from thing to another. Why?

[mdbl]

36. Sounds like he's getting his direction from the repugs

pick any one of them.

[Irish_Dem]

49. Yes one good explanation, but more complicated and closer to home perhaps.

He seems to be losing it.

[xxqqqzme]

43. Because he is a big frog in little West Virginia's pond.

He has no power. He suddenly finds himself in the spotlight (Hello my honey, Hello my baby, crooo-ak) and he is lapping it up. He really needs to get over himself

[Irish_Dem]

47. Yes but it would be an easy path to WVA sainthood if he sold his voters on the $15 an hour and

increased unemployment benefits. I don't know why he doesn't go that route.

[Mr.Bill]

20. Yeah, because someone that owes 10 months of back rent

certainly doesn't need an extra $100.

I'm at the point where I think Manchin is just trying to obstruct the entire bill for as long as possible, and perhaps kill it altogether.

[Irish_Dem]

25. Yes that is what it is looking like. He will just from one nonsensical point to another.

Until the bill is worthless.

[C_U_L8R]

5. Who votes for this guy?

It seems every single thing he stubbornly stands for benefits no one. Including himself.

[Irish_Dem]

26. No, it does benefit someone. When we guess who benefits, we have some answers to the mystery.

[Me.]

6. Power Trip?

Thinks he's in charge?

[DetroitLegalBeagle]

21. He is in charge

With a 50-50 Senate, he is the most powerful man. Most of Biden's agenda will live or die on his vote.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

28. +1000

Take a small man and give him power (right now Manchin has absolute power about how the Covid Recovery Bill will turn out) and he'll use it as much as he can to hurt other people. Look at the other guy and executive orders. Once he found out he could screw thousands of people over with the stroke of a pen there wasn't a day that went by without him signing an EO and then holding it up to the camera like a first grader: "See what I did, Mommy?"

[Me.]

41. Pride Gowth Before A Fall

[Irish_Dem]

48. Yes but what kind of person uses power to hurt people?

What kind of person uses power to do good?

[lagomorph777]

7. I propose we change Manchin's salary to $300/week. He's basically acting like he's unemployed.

[Ollie Garkie]

10. I hate him nt

[Peregrine Took]

50. I agree. He's a rotter of the first order. n/t

[Peregrine Took]

51. Isn't there ONE dyamic, aggressive Democrat in this whole freakin' state to challenge him?

I'm sure we could send him or her tons of $$ to be rid of the odious POS.

A union leader, a retired teacher or a sharp young progressive lawyer like Ossoff?

[brush]

12. I'm so tired of this a-hole always looking for an excuse to side with republicans.

We sure need to vote in at least one more Dem senator in '22 so we don't have to listen to his constant republican leanings.

[onecaliberal]

14. Why does a senator in a small state with low cost of living dictate for large states

with much higher cost of living? Where is the press in his state? Why aren't they asking his constituents?

[droidamus2]

17. Where is Democratic leadership

There are ways for Schumer, Pelosi and the DNC to get the DINOs inline. Removal from committees, threatened primarying or refusal to financially support are just a few. If they are unwilling to do this then my prediction in we will lose the House or Senate or both in 2022 and possibly the Presidency in 2024. The Democrats have to stand behind what thy promised and show they know how to play hardball and fight for the results they want.

[onecaliberal]

18. If we don't pass what we ran on, you are correct. Democracy will be over.

Republicans don't give a rats ass about rules or the law. They will steamroll anything they want.

[House of Roberts]

34. DINOS become Republicans when pressured.

Manchin could change parties anytime and keep getting re-elected in West Virginia. Moscow Mitch must not get back in charge in the Senate.

If we piss these bare majorities away, in 2022, just like we did in 1994 and 2010, it's our own fault.

[DURHAM D]

15. He is putting his re-election in jeopardy.

This is not complicated. WV voters will have a gut reaction to this bullshit. The political ads will write themselves.

[lark]

29. Nah, his daughter is a billionaire.

He doesn't care about the people in his state and she can continue to fund her legislative protection. She's the big pharma jerk behind the huge increase in the cost of the Epipen.

[droidamus2]

16. Joe Manchin should...

Just shut up!

[napi21]

19. What's with Manchin? He keeps coming up with these small gripes to stall the bill. Is he just

trying to make his constituents believe he's working for them?

[haele]

22. Hmm, what is he trying to get in future legislation is more like it...

Maybe he's angling for some weakening on legislation against pharmaceutical gouging or weakening regulations on coal or environmental protections, all of which benefit either him or his constituents. Maybe some infrastructure issues. Maybe he's just "showing off" for his more right wing constituents while he finagles something to bring home to them.

Mavricky Kabuki theater. I've seen this before.

He'll probably bend enough that while the stimulus response won't be great, it should be good for most - once he gets what he wants

Haele

[Fiendish Thingy]

23. Then vote it down, Joe, and end your career. I have no patience for saboteurs. Nt

[vercetti2021]

24. But he's essential remember?

Yeah an essential pain in the ass!

[bucolic_frolic]

27. I think at some point

Dems will have to play ball with Senator Manchin. They might trade his ideas on this or that for support they need on something else. For example, he doesn't like the $400? So start at $400, and taper it in 3 month increments, or make a renewal vote in Congress mandatory as the economic situation changes. There will be a quick burst of inflation as the recovery gains strength. Retailers will seek to pad profit margins from increased spending, and suppliers will do the same.

[Escurumbele]

30. Manchin is feeling powerful, isn't he?

I have to think republicans have been offering him something, he seems to be enjoying putting the Democratic party hostage.

[GeorgeGist]

31. Ever the Diva ...

playing to the Rs of WV.

[rkleinberger]

32. Biden needs to get this guy to tout the line. His ego is out of control.

[Sibelius Fan]

33. Manchin is paid $174,000 a year in taxpayer money as a US Senator.

I don’t think he should be paid more than $50,000.

[IronLionZion]

35. Why can't our party elect more Dem Senators

damn it. Joe Manchin is loving his power as the swing vote.

[marble falls]

38. Because Democrats don't get as het up for an off year election or State Legislature offices ...

... like Republicans do. Democrats expect our candidates to break out, Republicans bring them along. Otherwise, there'd be no explaining the Louie Gohmerts.

[Penn Voter]

45. Hopefully

John Fetterman (Lt. Gov of PA) can pickup a US Senate seat for the Dems in 2022. Maybe Tim Ryan can also pick up a Senate seat in Ohio. Then we won't have to listen to the Manchin show everyday.

[marble falls]

37. Damn, Senator. That won't even work in West Virginia!

[Hip2bSquare]

39. Jesus Christ!! What doesn't he get about 81+ million people!!

That freaking annoyance from West Virginia!

81+ million Americans voted for Biden... more than any other president in American history... and this twerp from WV wants to play in the spotlight.

Infuriating!

[Marthe48]

40. He got his. Just like cruz closing the door behind him

His uncle was a governor of WV. He did time for his crimes. My husband was born in WV and lived there till he was almost 12. He said one time that if seemed like every governor ended up in Jail. capito's dad also served time in prison.

I just read that manchin's daughter heads the drug company that jacked up the price of Epipens. Neera Tanden called her out on it and that's why manchin won't vote for her confirmation.

He is more than a DINO. He is an R.

WV used to vote blue. Gunz.

[Bettie]

42. I'm starting to think that he just wants to

change shit around because it makes him feel important to fuck with people's lives.

[Jon King]

44. Wow our political system stinks on ice....

A guy who represents tiny West Virginia has the power to control what effects the entire population of America.

[turbinetree]

52. I better watch what I say.............so

[Lord Ludd]

54. Oh Joe You Schmoe! n/t

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

55. Hey, maybe you should try living off of that, you fucking prick! Oh right,

your gross ass grafting daughter would probably bail you out.

[Crowman2009]

56. But...but...but he gives us a majority in the Senate!

I wish people would quit it with this "We'd wind up with a Republican in West Virginia if we primary him" BS. He pretty much votes Republican the majority of the time, so he's pretty much useless to us.

[zanana1]

59. This is the time for an Executive Order.

I remember Trump going around congress that was often.

[Polybius]

60. Any updates on this?

Will the $400 per week remain at $400 or not?

[Politicub]

61. If it's good enough for West Virginia, it's good enough for America.

Am I right? The idea that he would deprive the people who elected him vital unemployment benefits would be absurd if it wasn’t the Joe Manchin doctrine.

The next two years are going to be his reality show. Settle in.