“We’re not going to defund the police, we’re not for the brand new inexperienced deal,” he mentioned. “That’s not going to occur. We’re not for Medicare for All — we will’t even pay for Medicare for some.”
Lauren Hitt, a spokeswoman for Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, mentioned the congresswoman had submitted extra amendments than 90 p.c of different freshmen — together with these selling honest housing and a tear gasoline ban that handed the Home — and had missed fewer votes than Mr. Manchin. “The congresswoman has earned a popularity as a troublesome, ready member in committee hearings,” Ms. Hitt mentioned.
Mr. Manchin can also be a staunch opponent of one other step for which progressives have advocated, having loudly spoken out towards a transfer to alter Senate guidelines so that almost all might muscle by laws with a vote of 51, fairly than requiring that payments meet a 60-vote threshold to advance. Ought to Democrats win management of the chamber, the change would enable Mr. Biden to avoid Republican opposition and push by his coverage priorities.
“I can guarantee you I can’t vote to finish the filibuster, as a result of that will break the Senate,” Mr. Manchin mentioned. “For those who’ve obtained to explode the Senate to do the fitting factor, then we’ve obtained the improper individuals within the Senate.”
As a substitute, Mr. Manchin mentioned he and a gaggle of like-minded senators in each events — together with lots of these with whom he’s discussing a brand new reduction package deal — have been eyeing a special change to the foundations to empower the rank and file. Their thought is to permit any invoice authorised by a committee with bipartisan assist to advance to the ground. That may dilute the unilateral energy of the bulk chief — presently Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky — to manage which measures advance.
“Earlier than we all know undoubtedly who’s going to be the bulk chief, we must always make the modifications of how the Senate ought to work,” Mr. Manchin mentioned of the proposal, which is exceedingly unlikely to achieve success.
Nonetheless, John C. Kilwein, the chairman of the political science division at West Virginia College, mentioned Mr. Manchin can be “extremely vital” within the occasion of a 50-50 Senate. His stances would additionally function helpful cowl for Mr. Biden and Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York and the minority chief, from criticism they’re more likely to face for not absolutely embracing the progressive agenda.
