Manchin 'open' to $3.5 trillion Democratic budget deal

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Source: The Hill

Centrist Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) said Wednesday he's open to the $3.5 trillion spending agreement reached by Democrats on the Senate Budget Committee, which would be entirely paid for with yet to be specified tax measures, but he's holding back on fully endorsing the deal until further review.

Manchin's cautious optimism about the agreement means that Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer's (D-N.Y.) two-track strategy for moving President Biden's infrastructure agenda is still moving in the right direction.

"I heard about it this morning or late last night from my staff," Manchin told reporters on Wednesday. "So, we're anxious to basically review it. They worked hard on it, we want to see it. Also, I've been very clear that I want to see the pay-fors and make sure that whatever we do is globally competitive."

"I'm open to looking at everything they provide. OK? They're going to have to provide all the information that's going to be needed," he added. "They worked hard, they should have a proposal."

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/manchin-open-to-dollar35-trillion-democratic-budget-deal/ar-AAM9AZn

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Seems to run contrary to an earlier Hill article.

https://thehill.com/policy/transportation/562746-manchin-draws-red-line-in-infrastructure-talks

https://democraticunderground.com/10142768870

[Walleye]

1. Jeeze. Scarlett O'Hara was never this coy. Playing hard-to-get?

[WA-03 Democrat]

2. Centrist

No. Joe Biden is a centrist. Hillary is a centrist. Obama is a centrist. Clayburn is a centrist. Sanders is not a centrist.

Manchin is, beyond any reasonable doubt, a conservative Democrat.

[Budi]

5. But 'Centrist' Biden's policies are quite left of Centrist.

So why all the divisionary labels when one is sometimes, never, always, depends on the policy, maybe leans moderate if negotiations can be accomodated, and depends on their constituents in the State that sent them to DC.. ...

Wtf. Even Manchin is Not Always one exclusive label. He's voted with Biden Democrats 100%, so....🙄

Who labels these legislators with their own percieved broadbrush?

What's the point?

[Zambero]

6. Along the lines of what used to pass as a moderate Republican

That party no longer tolerates any degree of moderation, opting for blatant obstructionism instead. The intent is to brand Democrats as "do nothing" come election time. Even Susan Collins is too far complicit in this tactic to warrant a "moderate" designation.

[asiliveandbreathe]

3. Reading Manchins comment, seems he is saying he was NOT involved, his staff JUST informed

him?? But then, seems every utterance is politically skewed so as to not show his hand..all politicians do it, I understand...

"I heard about it this morning or late last night from my staff," Manchin told reporters on Wednesday. "So, we're anxious to basically review it. They worked hard on it, we want to see it.

Which is it, this morning, or late last night?

I am at "just get it done" ..so many jobs involved, let's do the most good, for the most people..

[Budi]

4. LOL. The Hill playing both sides for likes & views

Money & Media, baby!! $$

Journos gotta eat ya know.

Glad you caught that, Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin 👍

[Fiendish Thingy]

7. No contradiction with earlier report - Manchin just said he wants it paid for

The question is, will he balk when the tax increases for billionaires are put in the bill?

[OneCrazyDiamond]

9. He better not.

President Biden won't raise taxes on incomes < $400K.

[wiggs]

8. So disappointing that headlines and articles are all about the drama between

dems and goprs, between manchin and other dems, between Biden/Schumer and McCarthy/McConnell.

How many articles explore WHY an infrastructure bill is needed? How much money would be needed to deal with all urgent infrastructure needs and how does 3.5 trillion compare to that? How does the gop version compare to the overall need? What are examples of the kinds of serious infrastructure issues? What happens to costs and what are the downsides to NOT passing a significant bill? Who is going to pay for interstate highway overpass repair if feds don't?

Analysis in most cases is all politics...not substance of the needs and the solutions. Is this the fault of media or of dems? Shouldn't government officials...not political heads of cabinets, but people who spend their lives in infrastructure be talking about the needs and solutions...place the issue in the hands of experts not politicians?

Same could be said of the filibuster controversy...how many articles deal with gop abuse of the filibuster and reconciliation?