President Biden's Infrastructure Plans

[Derec]

Non-biodegradable plastics aren't much of a problem for anything persistent, like clothing.

It was a video game joke. In any case, I hold that paper drinking straws are an abomination. They get soggy quick and have a weird mouthfeel.

 

[Derec]

So the density argument does not hold much water.

How so? It shows that the NE corridor has density sufficient for HSR, but not much of the rest of the country. It is not an accident that the NE corridor is the only place where currently intercity passenger rail is viable.
I think we need to focus more on rail rapid transit in metro areas, not between them. Getting more people to drive fewer miles would have a huge impact, not only on carbon emissions and energy use but also land use patterns (i.e. fewer large parking lots and parking garages in city centers and also fewer highways cutting through cities would be needed)

 

[Swammerdami]

GOP senators appalled by 'ridiculous' House infighting | TheHill

Republican senators are expressing shock and disbelief that conservative allies of former President Trump in the House threatened to strip colleagues who voted for the $1 trillion infrastructure bill of their committee assignments.

The incredulous reactions of Republican senators to a motion filed in the House to boot Rep. John Katko (N.Y.) from his position as the top-ranking Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee because of his vote for the infrastructure bill reveal the chasm that is opening up between the Senate and House GOP conferences.

The GOP Senate and the QOP House are, nominally, elected by the very same people. Yet now there is a palpable mismatch between even these bodies! Further example, IMO, that "Republican" partisan politics have exceeded all degrees of inanity.

I failed to acknowledge that there are stupid treasonous GOP Senators. e.g. Ted Cruz, as well as GOP Reps. But it seems that John Kennedy, Senator from Louisiana, is challenging Cruz for the title of Most Asinine Senator, Maybe he's trying for honorary membership in the MTG-Gaetz-Boebert club.

We've got the Emmys and Oscars. Wouldn't it be a public good if there were televised awards to celebrate creatures like "Most Asinine Senator", "Most Corrupt Governor", and so on?

 

[TV and credit cards]

GOP senators appalled by 'ridiculous' House infighting | TheHill

Republican senators are expressing shock and disbelief that conservative allies of former President Trump in the House threatened to strip colleagues who voted for the $1 trillion infrastructure bill of their committee assignments.

The incredulous reactions of Republican senators to a motion filed in the House to boot Rep. John Katko (N.Y.) from his position as the top-ranking Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee because of his vote for the infrastructure bill reveal the chasm that is opening up between the Senate and House GOP conferences.

The GOP Senate and the QOP House are, nominally, elected by the very same people. Yet now there is a palpable mismatch between even these bodies! Further example, IMO, that "Republican" partisan politics have exceeded all degrees of inanity.

I failed to acknowledge that there are stupid treasonous GOP Senators. e.g. Ted Cruz, as well as GOP Reps. But it seems that John Kennedy, Senator from Louisiana, is challenging Cruz for the title of Most Asinine Senator, Maybe he's trying for honorary membership in the MTG-Gaetz-Boebert club.

We've got the Emmys and Oscars. Wouldn't it be a public good if there were televised awards to celebrate creatures like "Most Asinine Senator", "Most Corrupt Governor", and so on?

A Trumpie.

 

[Loren Pechtel]

So the density argument does not hold much water.

How so? It shows that the NE corridor has density sufficient for HSR, but not much of the rest of the country. It is not an accident that the NE corridor is the only place where currently intercity passenger rail is viable.
I think we need to focus more on rail rapid transit in metro areas, not between them. Getting more people to drive fewer miles would have a huge impact, not only on carbon emissions and energy use but also land use patterns (i.e. fewer large parking lots and parking garages in city centers and also fewer highways cutting through cities would be needed)

This. HSR isn't of much value if you need a vehicle at your destination.

 

[lpetrich]

I've found research that indicates when trains are competitive with airliners: Air and Rail Competition and Complementarity from 2006

Trains have nearly 100% market share up to a trip time of 2 hours or less, the two are about equal at 3.5 hours, then airliners have nearly 100% market share at 5 hours or more.

That being noted, long high-speed corridors still have value if they have a lot of cities along their length. That is because they can support trips along parts of their lengths. Thus, for a Portland ME - Miami FL "Atlantic Axis", as I call it, one does not need a lot of Portland-Miami passengers if one has plenty of Portland-Boston, Boston-NYC, NYC-DC, DC-Raleigh, Raleigh-Atlanta, Atlanta-Jacksonville, and Jacksonville-Miami passengers.

Furthermore, a long corridor can be built in segments. Consider Amsterdam NL - Cádiz ES, nearly 3000 kilometers / 2000 miles long, longer than that Atlantic Axis. It was built in pieces over the decades, starting with Paris - Lyon in 1981 and still with a non-high-speed stretch: Montpellier - Perpignan in southern France. I checked in raileurope.com and one has to take several trains along the way: Amsterdam - Paris - Valence - Barcelona - Madrid - Sevilla - Cádiz.

 

[Shadowy Man]

Places with high local taxes take a bigger bite than places with low local taxes. You can decide whether you want more or less local government and that's a good thing.

But if people in California decide they want higher state and local taxes, then people living in California should be paying more taxes. They should not get to have taxpayers in lower tax states like Florida or Georgia subsidize their high state and local tax rates.

I could support changing the federal structure so that people in one state don’t subsidize the people in other states. If that were to happen do you think the people in California would be worse off or better off?

 

[Elixir]

CA pays about 13.7 billion MORE in federal taxes than it receives back.
So figure it out.
California could secede and become richer, while making every other State poorer.

 

[lpetrich]

To complete my assessment, I estimated the average speed on a full-scale high-speed line. I found varying estimates, and I used 250 km/h or 155 mph for top speed 300 km/h or 186 mph.

So 2h, 3.5h, 5 h give 500, 875, 1250 km, or 310, 540, 780 mi.

Let's see how distances between cities compare. China is a special case because it is so populous, and that makes it easy to justify long HSR lines in the eastern half of the country. So I'll look at others. All distances Google Maps driving distances unless indicated otherwise. Geo = geometric / great circle / shortest / as the airplane flies

• Japan: Kagoshima - 324 km - Fukuoka - 612 km - Osaka - 498 km - Tokyo - 362 km - Sendai - 353 km - Aomori
• S Korea: Seoul - 326 km (geo) - Busan
• Taiwan: Taipei - 353 km - Kaohsiung City
• A-C: Amsterdam - 203 km - Brussels - 119 km - Lille - 225 km - Paris - 466 km - Lyon - 304 km - Montpellier - 346 km - Barcelona - 625 km - Madrid - 526 km - Sevilla - 121 km - Cádiz -- total: 2935 km
• Paris - London: Paris - 225 km - Lille - 328 km - London -- total: 553 km
• SW France: Paris - 239 km - Tours - 349 km
• Italy: Turin - 178 km - Milan - 211 km - Bologna - 109 km - Florence - 273 km - Rome - 226 km - Naples -- total: 997 km

Now the Atlantic Axis: Portland ME - 172 km - Boston MA - 348 km - New York NY - 364 km - Washington DC - 422 km - Raleigh NC - 654 km - Atlanta GA - 556 km - Jacksonville FL - 556 km - Miami FL -- total: 3072 km

Greater Chicagoland: Chicago IL ...

• 455 km - Detroit MI:
• 556 km - Cleveland OH
• 477 km - Cincinnati OH
• 478 km - St. Louis MO - 512 km - Kansas City
• 537 km - Des Moines IA - 216 km - Omaha NE
• 658 km - Minneapolis MN

Ohio: Cincinnati OH - 401 km - Cleveland OH

Texas: Houston - 385 km - Dallas - 315 km - Austin - 266 km - Houston

California: San Francisco - 78 km - San Jose - 240 km - Fresno - 176 km - Bakersfield - 153 km - Palmdale - 104 km -- total: 751 km

So by city distances, there is much of the US that is very suited for HSR development.

 

[Harry Bosch]

CA pays about 13.7 billion MORE in federal taxes than it receives back.
So figure it out.
California could secede and become richer, while making every other State poorer.

Correct. The liberal areas of the country create the vast amount of wealth in the US. We support the right wing areas. And it's not even close.

 

[lpetrich]

Rep. Ocasio-Cortez on Instagram: “Swipe to learn more about Representative Ocasio-Cortez's "no" vote on the infrastructure bill, the future of the Build Back Better Agenda, and what this might mean for combatting climate change.”

Congress recently passed an infrastructure bill. Representative Ocasio-Cortez voted 'no' because it does little to decrease carbon emissions - which is essential to preventing the worst impacts of climate change.

The spending falls far short of the levels of government action that scientific reports have concluded is needed to either prevent or prepare for the worst impacts of climate change. -- New York Times, 11/6/2021

Then about how the infrastructure bill "was not designed to exist on its own".

Some of what was left out of the infrastructure bill was put into a separate bill called the Build Back Better Act, including climate change provisions. The infrastructure bill and the Build Back Better Act were designed to be passed together like a lock and a key.

Lead Pipes

(lock) The cost to replace every lead pipe in the United States is between $45 and $60 billion. The infrastructure bill only provides $15 billion, which is enough to survey where all the lead pipes are, but not enough to replace them.

(key) Build Back Better contains additional money we need to replace every lead pipe.

EV Chargers

(lock) $7.5 billion is allocated in the infrastructure bill for electric vehicle charging stations. But in order for these charging stations to be actually useful, we need more electric vehicles on the road!

(key) BBB would expand electric vehicle tax credits to up to $12,500 - making electric vehicles more affordable.

"It's simple. To reduce emissions, we have to pass the Build Back Better Act."

 

[lpetrich]

Rep. Ocasio-Cortez on Instagram: “What’s in the Build Back Better Act? Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez successfully fought for the creation of the Civilian Climate Corps as well as funding for public housing and high speed rail. Swipe to learn more.”

On Friday, the House passed the President's Build Back Better Act, which included several pieces of legislation that Rep. Ocasio-Cortez introduced, including:

• CIVILIAN CLIMATE CORPS
• FUNDS FOR PUBLIC HOUSING
• HIGH SPEED RAIL FUNDING
• LIMITING THE FAIRCLOTH AMENDMENT

$30 BILLION FOR THE CIVILIAN CLIMATE CORPS

In April, we introduced the Civilian Climate Corps with Senator Ed Markey. Build Back Better allocates $30 billion in funding for the creation of a new Civilian Climate Corps, which would create 300,000 green, good-paying, union jobs.

$65 BILLION FOR PUBLIC HOUSING

The housing funds allocated in Build Back Better could be used to clear the New York City Housing Authority's maintenance backlog, or for green retrofits and resilience building.

$10 BILLION FOR HIGH SPEED RAIL

Rep. Ocasio-Cortez secured these funds after we called for additional funding for high speed rail in June with Senators Ed Markey and Kirsten Gillibrand, and Representatives Jim Costa and Seth Moulton. This money will improve our built environment, reduce inequity, and help grow cities across the nation.

LIMITING THE FAIRCLOTH AMENDMENT

In 2020, we led a successful vote in the House to repeal the Faircloth Amendment, which prevents building more public housing in the United States. Due to the leadership of Reps. Ocasio-Cortez and Maxine Waters, new housing funding available through BBB will not be subject to the Faircloth Amendment.

I don't know how much of this will survive Joe Manchin.

 

[ZiprHead]

Rep. Ocasio-Cortez on Instagram: “What’s in the Build Back Better Act? Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez successfully fought for the creation of the Civilian Climate Corps as well as funding for public housing and high speed rail. Swipe to learn more.”

On Friday, the House passed the President's Build Back Better Act, which included several pieces of legislation that Rep. Ocasio-Cortez introduced, including:

• CIVILIAN CLIMATE CORPS
• FUNDS FOR PUBLIC HOUSING
• HIGH SPEED RAIL FUNDING
• LIMITING THE FAIRCLOTH AMENDMENT

$30 BILLION FOR THE CIVILIAN CLIMATE CORPS

In April, we introduced the Civilian Climate Corps with Senator Ed Markey. Build Back Better allocates $30 billion in funding for the creation of a new Civilian Climate Corps, which would create 300,000 green, good-paying, union jobs.

$65 BILLION FOR PUBLIC HOUSING

The housing funds allocated in Build Back Better could be used to clear the New York City Housing Authority's maintenance backlog, or for green retrofits and resilience building.

$10 BILLION FOR HIGH SPEED RAIL

Rep. Ocasio-Cortez secured these funds after we called for additional funding for high speed rail in June with Senators Ed Markey and Kirsten Gillibrand, and Representatives Jim Costa and Seth Moulton. This money will improve our built environment, reduce inequity, and help grow cities across the nation.

LIMITING THE FAIRCLOTH AMENDMENT

In 2020, we led a successful vote in the House to repeal the Faircloth Amendment, which prevents building more public housing in the United States. Due to the leadership of Reps. Ocasio-Cortez and Maxine Waters, new housing funding available through BBB will not be subject to the Faircloth Amendment.

I don't know how much of this will survive Joe Manchin.

The coal baron will cover his own ass at the expence of the nation.

 

[Elixir]

The coal baron will cover his own ass at the expence of the nation.

"Expence"?
"Ex-Pence"?
Pun? Freudian slip?
Lulz!

 

[ZiprHead]

The coal baron will cover his own ass at the expence of the nation.

"Expence"?
"Ex-Pence"?
Pun? Freudian slip?
Lulz!

i have trouble "C's". Don't ask me to spell accross.

 

[Elixir]

The coal baron will cover his own ass at the expence of the nation.

"Expence"?
"Ex-Pence"?
Pun? Freudian slip?
Lulz!

i have trouble "C's". Don't ask me to spell accross.

I'm not complaining!

 

[lpetrich]

Dems weigh forcing Manchin's hand on their $1.7T megabill - POLITICO - "Some Democrats, eager to pass their social spending bill before Christmas, want to move forward on a vote before they get a firm commitment from the West Virginia centrist."

Democrats are tired of waiting for Joe Manchin.

After following the West Virginia Democrat’s every utterance on President Joe Biden’s sweeping climate and social spending plan, some Senate Democrats say their party should put the bill on the floor as soon as possible, regardless of whether Manchin gives a public commitment to support it beforehand. That could risk sinking the bill on the floor.

Already some Democrats are worried they will blow another deadline and kick their haggling into January. Many in the party argue they won't gain anything by waiting any longer, especially after so much internal debate and Biden’s erosion in the polls during the legislative bargaining.

...
Senate Democrats are fairly confident that they have support from the other 49 members of the caucus, including Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), who has privately reassured Democrats she’s on board with the plan even as she’s declined to make a public commitment.

However, rolling the dice absent a firm commitment from Manchin could be too risky for some Democrats. Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said: “I’d like to have a commitment amongst all 50 of us that we’re all going to stick together.”

That's good news about KS if it's true. That would mean that only JM remains as not willing to commit to passing the bill.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

Rep. Ocasio-Cortez on Instagram: “What’s in the Build Back Better Act? Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez successfully fought for the creation of the Civilian Climate Corps as well as funding for public housing and high speed rail. Swipe to learn more.”

On Friday, the House passed the President's Build Back Better Act, which included several pieces of legislation that Rep. Ocasio-Cortez introduced, including:

• CIVILIAN CLIMATE CORPS
• FUNDS FOR PUBLIC HOUSING
• HIGH SPEED RAIL FUNDING
• LIMITING THE FAIRCLOTH AMENDMENT

$30 BILLION FOR THE CIVILIAN CLIMATE CORPS

In April, we introduced the Civilian Climate Corps with Senator Ed Markey. Build Back Better allocates $30 billion in funding for the creation of a new Civilian Climate Corps, which would create 300,000 green, good-paying, union jobs.

$65 BILLION FOR PUBLIC HOUSING

The housing funds allocated in Build Back Better could be used to clear the New York City Housing Authority's maintenance backlog, or for green retrofits and resilience building.

$10 BILLION FOR HIGH SPEED RAIL

Rep. Ocasio-Cortez secured these funds after we called for additional funding for high speed rail in June with Senators Ed Markey and Kirsten Gillibrand, and Representatives Jim Costa and Seth Moulton. This money will improve our built environment, reduce inequity, and help grow cities across the nation.

LIMITING THE FAIRCLOTH AMENDMENT

In 2020, we led a successful vote in the House to repeal the Faircloth Amendment, which prevents building more public housing in the United States. Due to the leadership of Reps. Ocasio-Cortez and Maxine Waters, new housing funding available through BBB will not be subject to the Faircloth Amendment.

I don't know how much of this will survive Joe Manchin.

Why isn't High Speed Rail in the infrastructure bill? The US needs to at the very least, upgrade the NE Corridor from the joke it is today (regarding speed).

Also, don't call it The Civilian Climate Corps. That is just red meat for the GOP.

Public housing green stuff makes A LOT of sense that will save money down the road.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

Dems weigh forcing Manchin's hand on their $1.7T megabill - POLITICO - "Some Democrats, eager to pass their social spending bill before Christmas, want to move forward on a vote before they get a firm commitment from the West Virginia centrist."

Democrats are tired of waiting for Joe Manchin.

After following the West Virginia Democrat’s every utterance on President Joe Biden’s sweeping climate and social spending plan, some Senate Democrats say their party should put the bill on the floor as soon as possible, regardless of whether Manchin gives a public commitment to support it beforehand. That could risk sinking the bill on the floor.

Already some Democrats are worried they will blow another deadline and kick their haggling into January. Many in the party argue they won't gain anything by waiting any longer, especially after so much internal debate and Biden’s erosion in the polls during the legislative bargaining.

...
Senate Democrats are fairly confident that they have support from the other 49 members of the caucus, including Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), who has privately reassured Democrats she’s on board with the plan even as she’s declined to make a public commitment.

However, rolling the dice absent a firm commitment from Manchin could be too risky for some Democrats. Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said: “I’d like to have a commitment amongst all 50 of us that we’re all going to stick together.”

That's good news about KS if it's true. That would mean that only JM remains as not willing to commit to passing the bill.

They seem to trade off.

 

[Shadowy Man]

CA pays about 13.7 billion MORE in federal taxes than it receives back.
So figure it out.
California could secede and become richer, while making every other State poorer.

Correct. The liberal areas of the country create the vast amount of wealth in the US. We support the right wing areas. And it's not even close.

That’s not what Derec thinks. He said that states like Florida and Georgia are subsidizing Californians’ high state and local tax rates.

 

[TV and credit cards]

You’re a mean one, Senator Manchin.

Well, for some reason my copy and paste thumb won’t work on my phone, not on AP anyways and I’m too lazy to go to the computer. So let me summarize.
This guy, Senator Manchin is from West Virginia, one of the poorest states in the nation and he wants to get rid of the monthly Child Tax Credit. You can probably see where this is going. I mean, who elects this guy, right? West Virginia sucks hind tit in the best of economic times and this dude is hellbent on making it even worse. I guess his plan is to ensure the voters can’t scrape together bus fare to get to the polling stations. West Virginia lobbying groups have been screaming at this guy about how helpful this extra cash has been for the children but their calls have fallen on deaf ears. Maybe pull the yacht back into port and you could hear the cries of West Virginia’s children, Joe. You may be living in Almost Heaven but the children of West Virginia are having to eat the bark off the trees. I hope that quilt CTC recipients gave you keeps you nice and warm.
The CTC cuts child poverty by 40%. 40%! 52% of West Virginians spend their CTC on food. Food Joe. That stuff your assistants purchase and prepare for you. 39% on clothing and other essentials. That leaves only 9% spending it on Republican perceived drugs and alcohol. (My calculations may be a bit off there.) But point being that this cash isn’t being invested in Bitcoin or some SPAC, it’s going into West Virginia’s economy on the local level; at the grocery store and at the Walmart. Come on Manchin. Where’s you’re Christmas spirit?

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

Sen. Manchin has too much power. If he were to swap parties, he could be Senator for life in West Virginia. The Biden Admin could be grounded to a halt by a GOP Manchin. So, we are stuck here. Biden realizes that. I just wish been Senator since the Jurassic Period Biden could have pulled something off. Granted, he has signed a stimulus and Infrastructure bill, so he has had two large accomplishments (of which the people haven't really given him any credit).

Personally, I'm upset over how these negotiations apparently never seemed to occur. Why couldn't they lock themselves in a room and solve the problem. It isn't that hard!

 

[lpetrich]

Biden acknowledges $2T bill stalled, but vows it will pass | AP News - Dec 16

Biden said he and his team will continue to have discussions with Manchin next week. The White House and the congressional leaders plan to work “over the days and weeks ahead” to finish up the details, he said. Both he and Schumer are determined, he said, to bring the package to the Senate floor for votes as early as possible.

“We will — we must — get Build Back Better passed,” Biden said.

‘Going very poorly’: Biden can't nail Manchin down on Dems’ bill - POLITICO - "President Joe Biden is running out of patience as Sen. Joe Manchin continues to drag his feet on supporting the party's domestic spending legislation."

Tensions are boiling over as discussions about finishing Democrats' $1.7 trillion domestic spending bill drag on between President Joe Biden and Sen. Joe Manchin.

The legislation looks increasingly likely to stall over the impending holiday break, prompting Biden himself to bemoan the slow pace. And Manchin (D-W.Va.) grew frustrated on Wednesday when questioned about whether he opposes a provision in the bill to extend the expanded child tax credit, deeming those queries “bullshit” and denying that he wants to end the $300 monthly check many families receive for children.

That provision expires this month and Democrats had hoped it would drive a year-end deal. Instead, Biden and Manchin don’t appear particularly close to clinching anything and Manchin has suggested pulling the child tax credit from the bill, according to a source briefed on the conversations. Publicly, Manchin himself said he does not oppose the tax credit.

“The talks between [Biden] and Manchin have been going very poorly. They are far apart,” the source said.

Biden and Manchin hold 'productive' call as President tries to secure senator's vote on 'Build Back Better' bill - CNNPolitics
That seems very optimistic.

 

[lpetrich]

Joe Manchin, the Democrats' other 'president,' had an eventful 2021 - The Washington Post

Waiting around for Manchin has become something of a pastime in the nation’s capital. Hill reporters track his movements on the Senate floor, staking out his office, sometimes for hours, and then orbiting around him like electrons as he walks the halls of Congress. On a recent Monday morning, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) bumped into such a gaggle on the way to her office, which is near Manchin’s. “What are you guys doing here now?” she asked them. “It’s Monday, you know he’s not going to get here till 3 o’clock in the afternoon

Child tax credit rift between Manchin, Biden imperils spending bill - The Washington Post - "At an impasse over the child tax credit, Biden hints that Democrats could shift gears to focus on voting rights in the final days of 2021."

A push by Senate Democrats to pass a roughly $2 trillion tax-and-spending measure before Christmas appeared in dire political peril Wednesday, as talks soured between President Biden and Sen. Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.) over the size and scope of the economic package.

Child tax credit for Manchin has become huge home-state test - The Washington Post - "Home-state parents push for his support, but the senator hasn’t budged"

As Democrats in Washington scrambled on Wednesday to prevent President Biden’s $2 trillion spending package from derailing, a group of West Virginia parents gathered on a video call as part of a last-minute effort to turn up the heat on one of their senators, Democrat Joe Manchin III.

 

[lpetrich]

Joe Manchin explodes at reporters asking about $2T Biden bill

Sen. Joe Manchin on Wednesday angrily shouted at reporters to go away — telling one, “You are bulls–t!” and “I’m done!” after he was peppered with questions about his reluctance to support President Biden’s mammoth social spending bill.

“I’m not negotiating with any of you, OK?” the West Virginia Democrat said as reporters followed him around Capitol Hill.

Manchin added, raising his voice: “You guys, let me go. This is bulls–t. You are bulls–t! OK? I’m done! I’m done! God Almighty.”

Progressive Caucus on Twitter: "Delaying Build Back Better until 2022 will have immediate consequences.
The House passed a bill agreed to by nearly 50 senators, and with @POTUS' promise that he could deliver the votes needed to make it law.
The Senate cannot adjourn for the year until their work is done. (pic link)" / Twitter

Cori Bush slams 'alarming' delay on Dems' spending bill, says it shouldn't be 'at the feet' of Joe Manchin | Fox Business

Rep. Cori Bush Wednesday lamented delays in Senate negotiations on Democrats' massive reconciliation spending bill, including the fact that Sen. Joe Manchin essentially has veto power over the legislation because the Senate is split 50-50.

"We must not undermine our power as a government nor the power of the people by placing the fate of Build Back Better at the feet of one senator: Joe Manchin," Bush, D-Mo., said.

"Today’s reporting that the Build Back Better Act may be put on the shelf for the foreseeable future is alarming," Bush added. "To my community, I promise you that I am doing everything in my power to ensure that this decision does not become permanent."

Cori Bush Statement on Potential Further Senate Delay of the Build Back Better Act | Congresswoman Cori Bush - Dec. 15

Today, Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01) issued the below statement following reporting of Senate discussions to further delay the Build Back Better Act:

“I am a single mother, a survivor, someone who has been formerly unhoused, and a Black woman in America,” said Congresswoman Cori Bush. “I’ve lived my entire life being overlooked by policymakers in Washington, DC. I promised my district when I ran for office that I would not let our community be overlooked any longer.

 

[lpetrich]

It looks like the Senate has adjourned for the year. Its last activity was on Dec 18, 4:04AM ET, continuing its Dec 17 session.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Twitter: "It is actually delusional ..." / Twitter

It is actually delusional to believe Dems can get re-elected without acting on filibuster or student debt, Biden breaking his BBB promise, letting CTC lapse, 0 path to citizenship, etc

Esp when they run from convos abt race+culture (which is what 1/6 was abt)

We need to act now

People want to “but Manchin” everyone to death, but learned helplessness is not a disposition that inspires confidence or support.

The President has tools at his disposal. Leadership has tools at their disposal. If it really is just 1-2 votes, Senate should force a vote on BBB

To secure votes for the Bipar Infra Bill, Biden *himself* came to House Progressives & told us was putting his credibility on the line to deliver BBB if CPC voted BIF.

They trusted him. I didn’t think he could promise the Senate. He promised anyway. It’s time for him to deliver.

I agree.

 

[lpetrich]

Amanda Becker on Twitter: "As this was playing out, the conventional beltway groupthink was that the progressives were being 'unreasonable' in not trusting there were the votes in the Senate to get this done." / Twitter

Eric Michael Garcia on Twitter: "On one hand, this was exactly what progressives feared would happen if the bipartisan bill passed. On the other, it's pretty hard to convince the Senate to force a vote and then see Manchin effectively kill their legislation, to say nothing about Sinema." / Twitter

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Twitter: "Leadership forces votes all the time. ..." / Twitter

Leadership forces votes all the time.

Bc they know ppl talkabt what they’ll support until it’s vote time

The pressure of voting no+ folks@home seeing IS overwhelming. They even force unnecessary standalone votes like the extra Iron Dome $,which actually belongs in Defense $

Fact is when Dem leadership is really, truly set on something, they use a huge amount of procedural, political, media, & resource tools to force votes in very powerful ways. They do it all the time.

They did it with BIF, they do it with defense, now they need to do it with BBB.

Rashida Tlaib on Twitter: "Families and children won't get the child tax credit help they need next month because of Joe Manchin. I can't believe it's controversial to say this when he's literally telling the press he intends to kill the CTC. The truth needs to be told. Enough." / Twitter
then
Rashida Tlaib on Twitter: ".@chuckschumer hold the vote on BBB - let America see who supports pushing millions of families back into poverty right after the holidays." / Twitter

 

[lpetrich]

Michelle Hackman on Twitter: "News: The Parliamentarian has rejected Democrats' third immigration proposal, offering millions of immigrants deportation protections and work permits. Likely the end of the road for helping unauthorized immigrants through reconciliation. W/@aduehren (link)" / Twitter

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Twitter: "Good thing the Parliamentarian’s guidance here is non binding! It’s just guidance.

The Senate can still include a path to citizenship in BBB and call a vote on it, which is why we have called on them to do so." / Twitter

Then this disaster.

Burgess Everett on Twitter: "!!!!!!!!!!!! Manchin says he's done with BBB and it's over
"I cannot vote to continue with this piece of legislation"
"I can't get there"" / Twitter
What was so hard for him?

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Twitter: "When a handful of us ..." / Twitter

When a handful of us in the House warned this would happen if Dem leaders gave Manchin everything he wanted 1st by moving BIF before BBB instead of passing together, many ridiculed our position.

Maybe they’ll believe us next time. Or maybe people will just keep calling us naïve.

Either way, we cannot accept no for an answer. Dem leadership - incl but not limited to the President himself and House Dem leadership - wrote a massive check on their credibility the night of the BIF vote in order to secure the votes they needed, *promising* passage of BBB…

To every member who brought up Manchin, they personally promised they had a solution & BBB would pass.

It is simply not an option for Dem leaders to walk from BBB, voting rights, etc. They must find a way, just as they promised they would when we raised this inevitability

Some of us don’t have the luxury of giving up. We serve working, middle class, & poor people. We serve everyday workers getting ripped off & immigrants & Black communities & queer kids needing shelter. We will not walk away from them. And leadership can’t walk from them either.

People can be mad at Manchin all they want, but we knew he would do this months ago.

Where we need answers from are the leaders who promised a path on BBB if BIF passed: Biden & Dem leaders. *They* chose to move BIF alone instead of w/ BBB, not Manchin.

So they need to fix it.

We, as always, are here to fight for this agenda. What matters most to us is that it gets done. But we cannot just shrug our shoulders and accept this as some Charlie Brown moment.

Our entire democracy is on the line. So we need to get back in there & get this sh*t done. Period

 

[lpetrich]

Fifty Shades of Whey on Twitter: "@AOC Joe Manchin's daughter, Heather Bresch, has illegally price-gouged EpiPens to steal millions of dollars from people with asthma and allergies. If there's any justice, she should be prosecuted to the fullest extent. (pic link)" / Twitter
Unfortunately, Joe Biden isn't LBJ, because bringing up things like that is what LBJ would likely have done.

Nicholas Weaver on Twitter: "@AOC @alexhanna Suggestion: Split BBB into pieces. Force Manchen and the Republicans to vote against individual things like the child tax credit, the insulin rules, etc etc etc. Punish them OR get the best pieces to pass piecemeal. Either way a win." / Twitter
then
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Twitter: "Many folks bring this up, ..." / Twitter

Many folks bring this up,& it’s not a bad idea. The problem is that due to the filibuster, we can’t vote on items individually.

For the most part, the only major leg Senate can pass w/ 51 votes are reconciliation bills. We only get 2 per year. 1st was Rescue Plan, only 1 left

What makes the choice to push even more harmful (potentially) is that if BBB gets pushed to next year, it raises the question if that decision effectively erases 1 of Biden’s 4 chances to pass major legislation before the midterms barring action on filibuster -

If we only get 2 recon bills per year, and BBB was supposed to be the 2nd recon of 2021, does pushing “roll it over” or does the Senate clock restart in 22, BBB is erased as the 2nd 2021 bill, & Dems now only have 2 swings left instead of 3? Likely the latter but not confirmed

That’s also why passing this before the new year was/is so important - delaying could cost us a major item in the President’s agenda next yr.

Unless we break the filibuster. In that case, it could still cost us a recon slot but at least lets us move on voting rights +other items

Nicholas Weaver on Twitter: "@AOC Yes you can: How much of the BBB agenda is such that 10 sane Republicans won't want to be on record opposing any individual piece. Yes, the bar is higher, but the individual pieces are so much easier to swallow then a unified whole." / Twitter
then
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Twitter: "@ncweaver Even if you could get 10 Republicans, the problem as I explained above is that there is only 1 vote allowed left this year per Senate rules. It’s not a political problem, it’s a procedure/rules problem." / Twitter
then
Lakshya Jain on Twitter: "@AOC @ncweaver It's a moot point, because they won't be there, but don't the 10 R votes actually insulate it from the filibuster if they vote to break cloture with 50 Dems? That gets rid of the need for using budget reconciliation IIRC." / Twitter

That's a reasonable point, but where are we going to find those 10 Republicans?

 

[ZiprHead]

I heard one bit of conjecture last week that Manchin and Sinema will hold out as long as they can but will eventually vote for the bill. They want to keep the corporate donations coming in as long as possible.

 

[lpetrich]

Briahna Joy Gray on Twitter: ".@cthagod asked @KamalaHarris “I wanna know who the real president of this country is, Joe Biden or Joe Manchin,” and it seems the question was so difficult it to answer Symone Sanders stepped in and tried to end the interview. (vid link)" / Twitter
then
Krystal Ball on Twitter: "Her inability to answer this question tells you the answer to the question. BTW it's no accident that the only person who asks these people remotely challenging questions isn't a journalist because he isn't part of the gross DC club and doesn't care about access." / Twitter

 

[lpetrich]

I heard one bit of conjecture last week that Manchin and Sinema will hold out as long as they can but will eventually vote for the bill. They want to keep the corporate donations coming in as long as possible.

A bit optimistic, but AOC has a good point about what Congresspeople say vs. how they actually vote.

Jamaal Bowman on Twitter: "Wow @Sen_JoeManchin, ..." / Twitter

Wow @Sen_JoeManchin, with all due respect, when you say you’re a no on Build Back Better - is it you? Or is it the special interest that powers you?

I’m inviting you to my district to see just how badly we need this bill. Will you tell my community “No” to our face?

Impact of your “NO”:

- no more child tax credit payments
- no affordable childcare
- no paid leave
- no immigration protections
- no community violence & trauma intervention funding
- no $35/mo cap on insulin
- no down payment assistance
- no housing vouchers
- no sewer, wastewater, or drinking water investments that are in BBB, not BIF
- no public transit investments
- no $ for making flood insurance more affordable
- no substantial climate protections
- no relief for middle class homeowners

West Virginian’s need these things, too.

Bernie Sanders on Twitter: "If Sen. Manchin wants to vote against the Build Back Better Act, he should have the opportunity to do so with a floor vote as soon as the Senate returns. (pic link)" / Twitter

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

Joe Manchin explodes at reporters asking about $2T Biden bill

Sen. Joe Manchin on Wednesday angrily shouted at reporters to go away — telling one, “You are bulls–t!” and “I’m done!” after he was peppered with questions about his reluctance to support President Biden’s mammoth social spending bill.

“I’m not negotiating with any of you, OK?” the West Virginia Democrat said as reporters followed him around Capitol Hill.

Manchin added, raising his voice: “You guys, let me go. This is bulls–t. You are bulls–t! OK? I’m done! I’m done! God Almighty.”

I'm not negotiating with you (the press), when it didn't seem he was really ever negotiating with the progs or Biden either.

And again, we need to remain calm, a Republican Manchin will really fuck things up for Biden.

 

[Trausti]

Bernie Sanders on Twitter: "If Sen. Manchin wants to vote against the Build Back Better Act, he should have the opportunity to do so with a floor vote as soon as the Senate returns. (pic link)" / Twitter

It humorous that lefties think this would hurt him back home. Biden is very unpopular in WV.

 

[lpetrich]

Bernie Sanders on Twitter: "If Sen. Manchin wants to vote against the Build Back Better Act, he should have the opportunity to do so with a floor vote as soon as the Senate returns. (pic link)" / Twitter

U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE ON THE BUDGET
Chair, Senator Bernie Sanders

NEWS: Sanders Calls for Senate Vote on Build Back Better

BURLINGTON, Vt., Dec. 19 - Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, Sunday issued the following statement after Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) announced he would not support the Build Back Better Act:

If Sen. Joe Manchin wants to vote against the Build Back Better Act, he should have the opportunity to do so with a floor vote as soon as the Senate returns. He to should have to explain to West Virginians and the American people why he doesn't have the courage to stand up to powerful special interests and lower prescription drug costs; expand Medicare to cover dental, hearing and eyeglasses; continue the $300 per child direct monthly payment which has cut childhood poverty by over 40%; and address the devastating impacts of climate change. He should also have to explain why he is not prepared to demand that millionaires and large corporations start paying their fair share of taxes.

I also find it amusing that Sen. Manchin indicates his worry about the deficit after voting just this week for a military budget of $778 billion. four times greater than Build Back Better over ten years and $25 billion more than the president requested."

Good idea. Just as AOC said.

 

[Harry Bosch]

Joe Manchin explodes at reporters asking about $2T Biden bill

Sen. Joe Manchin on Wednesday angrily shouted at reporters to go away — telling one, “You are bulls–t!” and “I’m done!” after he was peppered with questions about his reluctance to support President Biden’s mammoth social spending bill.

“I’m not negotiating with any of you, OK?” the West Virginia Democrat said as reporters followed him around Capitol Hill.

Manchin added, raising his voice: “You guys, let me go. This is bulls–t. You are bulls–t! OK? I’m done! I’m done! God Almighty.”

I'm not negotiating with you (the press), when it didn't seem he was really ever negotiating with the progs or Biden either.

And again, we need to remain calm, a Republican Manchin will really fuck things up for Biden.

Agreed. When we have some people actively trying to overthrow our government, keeping the senate democratic is more important than having one individual bill pass.

 

[Harry Bosch]

Bernie Sanders on Twitter: "If Sen. Manchin wants to vote against the Build Back Better Act, he should have the opportunity to do so with a floor vote as soon as the Senate returns. (pic link)" / Twitter

It humorous that lefties think this would hurt him back home. Biden is very unpopular in WV.

Yep. Manchin is just like any other politician; he takes positions that maximize his votes at home. AOC, Sanders and Biden would not get elected to popular office in West Virgina. If people want build back better passed in the future, elect more politicians who support the programs.

 

[ZiprHead]

Bernie Sanders on Twitter: "If Sen. Manchin wants to vote against the Build Back Better Act, he should have the opportunity to do so with a floor vote as soon as the Senate returns. (pic link)" / Twitter

It humorous that lefties think this would hurt him back home. Biden is very unpopular in WV.

Yep. Manchin is just like any other politician; he takes positions that maximize his votes at home. AOC, Sanders and Biden would not get elected to popular office in West Virgina. If people want build back better passed in the future, elect more politicians who support the programs.

As I understand, this bill has wide support in his homestate.

 

[Trausti]

Bernie Sanders on Twitter: "If Sen. Manchin wants to vote against the Build Back Better Act, he should have the opportunity to do so with a floor vote as soon as the Senate returns. (pic link)" / Twitter

It humorous that lefties think this would hurt him back home. Biden is very unpopular in WV.

Yep. Manchin is just like any other politician; he takes positions that maximize his votes at home. AOC, Sanders and Biden would not get elected to popular office in West Virgina. If people want build back better passed in the future, elect more politicians who support the programs.

As I understand, this bill has wide support in his homestate.

Nah.

WV voters slam Biden, approve of Justice, Manchin in latest MBE Research poll

“Voters want to be listened to. When they feel like you’re listening to them, they will reward that either at the polls or in numbers like this,” Blankenship said. “I think that’s what’s recognized here is that Senator Manchin is listening to the people of West Virginia.”

The MBE Research poll also found 78 percent of voters said they support Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) working together in a bipartisan effort to pass the national infrastructure bill to address roads, bridges, power and other needs.

Nearly 74 percent of voters also said Manchin should oppose the president’s Build Back Better plan.

 

[lpetrich]

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Twitter: "That part " / Twitter
noting
Sherrilyn Ifill on Twitter: "Manchin is Manchin. ..." / Twitter

Manchin is Manchin. But what kind of healthy democracy is structured in a way that can allow one man elected by 290,000 voters in one of the least populous states to thwart the agenda of his party and the President who was elected with 81 million votes. We need structural change.

It’s like getting exorcised over McConnell’s shameful treatment of Garland, but spending no time thinking abt how to change a system that allows one Senator to hijack the Supreme Court confirmation process; to decide to hold the size of the Court at a random number for 18 mos.

The Court expansion conversations still haven’t taken hold of this structural flaw. A President Biden cld conceivably nominate addl justices but if McConnell’s Republicans control the Senate none would be confirmed? We are in crisis b/c too many structural flaws can be exploited.

 

[Harry Bosch]

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Twitter: "That part " / Twitter
noting
Sherrilyn Ifill on Twitter: "Manchin is Manchin. ..." / Twitter

Manchin is Manchin. But what kind of healthy democracy is structured in a way that can allow one man elected by 290,000 voters in one of the least populous states to thwart the agenda of his party and the President who was elected with 81 million votes. We need structural change.

It’s like getting exorcised over McConnell’s shameful treatment of Garland, but spending no time thinking abt how to change a system that allows one Senator to hijack the Supreme Court confirmation process; to decide to hold the size of the Court at a random number for 18 mos.

The Court expansion conversations still haven’t taken hold of this structural flaw. A President Biden cld conceivably nominate addl justices but if McConnell’s Republicans control the Senate none would be confirmed? We are in crisis b/c too many structural flaws can be exploited.

But it's not one man. It's 50 men and women senators who are against the bill. If you want a bill that can pass, modify it to entice some of the moderates. That's how the system is designed.

 

[lpetrich]

Mehdi Hasan on Twitter: "Don’t forget: this isn’t just about Joe Manchin. It’s about the dark money and billionaires and coal interests behind him, which keep winning at ours and the planet’s expense. Manchin is a living breathing reminder that America is often more oligarchic than it is democratic." / Twitter

Joe Manchin on Build Back Better Act: He'll vote no. - CNNPolitics

A person familiar with the discussions between President Joe Biden and Manchin told CNN it was clear Manchin was headed in this direction as Biden privately told aides this week, he was no longer confident he could ultimately get the West Virginia Democrat on board. But White House officials were surprised when Manchin informed them Sunday morning he had already arrived at a final decision.

Their reaction was, obviously, not positive, according to the source. One senior administration official told CNN it was "totally a surprise." Manchin informed the White House they were the first to know and he had not told even his staff yet.

State of the Union on Twitter: ""He's continued to move the goal post. He has never negotiated in good faith and he is obstructing the President's agenda." - Democratic Rep. Ayanna Pressley on Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin saying he won't vote for the Build Back Better Act. (links)" / Twitter
Transcript:
Pressley Responds to Manchin Announcement Refusing to Support Build Back Better Act | Representative Ayanna Pressley

TAPPER: Senator Sanders said just a few minutes ago, that this would create a stark difference in the 2022 midterms, where Democrats are on one side pushing for lower prescription drug prices. Child care, et cetera, the things that are in Build Back Better and Republicans opposing it. But I wonder if you think it might actually have the opposite effect of suppressing and depressing, progressive voters, younger voters, voters counting on some of the things in the Build Back Better Act and actually causing them to be disillusioned, disappointed and not turn out to vote in 2022, even more than Democrats normally do not turn out to vote in the midterms.

REP. PRESSLEY: Jake, it was a multi-generational, multi-racial movement of the most marginalized, Black, brown, AAPI, Indigenous, LGBTQ, disabled, who made this Democratic majority possible, many of them issues-based activists, championing the need for police reform, to dismantle mass incarceration, to combat the climate crisis, to actualize racial justice, to cancel student debt.

It is incumbent upon us to do everything possible to meet the needs of that most marginalized movement, which made this majority possible we run the risk of risking the majority, not by going big, but by playing small. So of course I have concerns about us not keeping our promises.

TAPPER: Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, thank you so much.

Andrew Solender on Twitter: "Pressley:
"The Senate must return to session immediately and bring this historic and transformational bill to a vote so Senator Manchin—and every Republican who has opposed it from the very beginning—can demonstrate, on the record, the contempt they have for their constituents" (pic link)" / Twitter
from
Rep. Pressley’s Statement on Obstruction of Build Back Better Act | Representative Ayanna Pressley

Then
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Twitter: "100% agree. The Senate must reconvene immediately and bring BBB to a vote regardless of Manchin’s statement.

If they forced folks to go on record with BIF, they can force the Senate to go on record with BBB. We can take it up again next year too.

@AyannaPressley is right on." / Twitter

 

[lpetrich]

Ilhan Omar on Twitter: "West Virginia is
50th in public health
50th in childcare
48th in employment

They support Build Back Better by a 43 point margin.

This has nothing to do with his constituents. This is about the corruption and self-interest of a coal baron." / Twitter

Nina Turner on Twitter: "I’m going on @cnn in about 20 minutes to share my thoughts on Joe Manchin playing games with this legislation " / Twitter

Cori Bush on Twitter: "Honestly, I’m frustrated with every Democrat who agreed to tie the fate of our most vulnerable communities to the corporatist ego of one Senator. No one should have backed out of our initial strategy that would have kept Build Back Better alive.
@POTUS, you need to fix this." / Twitter
Wanting the Senate to pass BBB before they will vote on BIF, the infrastructure bill.

Shahid Buttar is running against Nancy Pelosi in CA-12 -- he did so in 2018 and 2020. Back when BIF was passed:
Shahid Buttar for Congress on Twitter: "We are witnessing capital assault democracy yet again.

I would have voted against the bipartisan infrastructure privatization package.
No Democrat should be claiming victory from its passage. It paves the path to even greater corporate control over public resources. (vid link)" / Twitter

Shahid Buttar for Congress on Twitter: "@CoriBush @POTUS You have every right @CoriBush to be frustrated with your colleagues. We certainly are!

The strategy to #HoldTheLine was working, right up until dozens of voices who claim to share progressive values fell for a predictable establishment ruse. /1" / Twitter

Shahid Buttar for Congress on Twitter: "@CoriBush @POTUS Most observers of the BBB legislative process failed to notice Pelosi’s strategy in real time.

Journalists who repeat the words of dynasty politicians—while overlooking their actions, and crucial critiques raised by challengers—serve the establishment instead of transparency. /2" / Twitter

 

[lpetrich]

The Associated Press on Twitter: "BREAKING: White House accuses Sen. Joe Manchin of breaking commitments on $2 trillion bill, calls the West Virginia Democrat's opposition "sudden and inexplicable." (link)" / Twitter
noting
Manchin not backing Dems' $2T bill, potentially dooming it | AP News


Nina Turner on Twitter: "Joe Manchin didn’t go on Fox News to say he couldn’t vote for the $7.7 TRILLION military spending bill." / Twitter

Over 10 years, like the spending in BBB.

Daniel Goldman on Twitter: "When @Sen_JoeManchin cites inflation as a reason he’s against BBB, let’s remember economists have pretty uniformly said that BBB will help reduce inflation. And when people make false excuses, it’s usually because they are hiding the true reason." / Twitter

I should check this number, but from his involvement in the coal industry, that may not be far off.
Andrea Junker on Twitter: "Joe Manchin makes $500,000 a year from one of the dirtiest coal plants in West Virginia. That’s more than twice his salary as U.S. senator. How is this even legal?" / Twitter

 

[Derec]

The Associated Press on Twitter: "BREAKING: White House accuses Sen. Joe Manchin of breaking commitments on $2 trillion bill, calls the West Virginia Democrat's opposition "sudden and inexplicable." (link)" / Twitter

"Sudden and inexplicable"? What planet were they on? The Dems have been going ...

... at Manchin for months!

Nina Turner on Twitter: "Joe Manchin didn’t go on Fox News to say he couldn’t vote for the $7.7 TRILLION military spending bill." / Twitter

Several differences, of course. Most fundamentally, national defense is constitutionally a core role of federal government. Childcare and increased subsidies for breeding are not. Second, this is the entire defense budget, while the B³ is an increase in entitlement spending. Overall, entitlements are much more costly for the federal government than defense.

Over 10 years, like the spending in BBB.

That was just it. The spending was not over 10 years. House Dems resorted to a trick where they price spending for fewer years (as short as one year for EITC and CTC) even though they fully intend for all these programs to be permanent. That's because Manchin wanted the B³ to cost $1.75T instead of $3.5T, but House Dems did not want to sacrifice any spending programs, so they resorted to accounting gimmicks to make it appear cheaper. Luckily, Manchin wasn't swayed by such cheap tricks.

Daniel Goldman on Twitter: "When @Sen_JoeManchin cites inflation as a reason he’s against BBB, let’s remember economists have pretty uniformly said that BBB will help reduce inflation. And when people make false excuses, it’s usually because they are hiding the true reason." / Twitter

No, economists have not "pretty uniformly" said throwing trillions at an already inflationary economy will reduce inflation.
Not even Dems are claiming that any more. What they are saying these days is that the extra spending will help families deal with inflation. Which of course does not help those of us (no children and/or no large SALT deductions) not getting much if any extra money from the B³.

I should check this number, but from his involvement in the coal industry, that may not be far off.
Andrea Junker on Twitter: "Joe Manchin makes $500,000 a year from one of the dirtiest coal plants in West Virginia. That’s more than twice his salary as U.S. senator. How is this even legal?" / Twitter

I would say most members of Congress have substantial investments. I would like to see a verification on the numbers. But even more I would like to see some verification of the claim that the coal plant he is invested in is "one of the dirtiest coal plants in West Virginia". Who is this Andrea Junker anyway?

 

[ZiprHead]

Bernie Sanders on Twitter: "If Sen. Manchin wants to vote against the Build Back Better Act, he should have the opportunity to do so with a floor vote as soon as the Senate returns. (pic link)" / Twitter

It humorous that lefties think this would hurt him back home. Biden is very unpopular in WV.

Yep. Manchin is just like any other politician; he takes positions that maximize his votes at home. AOC, Sanders and Biden would not get elected to popular office in West Virgina. If people want build back better passed in the future, elect more politicians who support the programs.

As I understand, this bill has wide support in his homestate.

Nah.

WV voters slam Biden, approve of Justice, Manchin in latest MBE Research poll

“Voters want to be listened to. When they feel like you’re listening to them, they will reward that either at the polls or in numbers like this,” Blankenship said. “I think that’s what’s recognized here is that Senator Manchin is listening to the people of West Virginia.”

The MBE Research poll also found 78 percent of voters said they support Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) working together in a bipartisan effort to pass the national infrastructure bill to address roads, bridges, power and other needs.

Nearly 74 percent of voters also said Manchin should oppose the president’s Build Back Better plan.

That says nothing about the bill.

People hated Obamacare but loved the ACA.

 

[Shadowy Man]

Bernie Sanders on Twitter: "If Sen. Manchin wants to vote against the Build Back Better Act, he should have the opportunity to do so with a floor vote as soon as the Senate returns. (pic link)" / Twitter

It humorous that lefties think this would hurt him back home. Biden is very unpopular in WV.

Seems like the people of WV should support bills based on what’s in them and not who signs them.

 

[ZiprHead]

https://www.filesforprogress.org/memos/bbb-wv.pdf

VOTERS SUPPORT THE BUILD BACK BETER PLAN We tested support for the Build Back Better plan, the $3.5 trillion budget proposal Democrats in Congress are now considering. We find that likely voters in the state support this proposed investment plan by a margin of +43 points. Democrats, Independents, and Republicans support the plan by margins of +86 points, +33 points, and +22 points.

 

[Derec]

https://www.filesforprogress.org/memos/bbb-wv.pdf

VOTERS SUPPORT THE BUILD BACK BETER PLAN We tested support for the Build Back Better plan, the $3.5 trillion budget proposal Democrats in Congress are now considering. We find that likely voters in the state support this proposed investment plan by a margin of +43 points. Democrats, Independents, and Republicans support the plan by margins of +86 points, +33 points, and +22 points.

Yeah, how about a poll that is not from  Data for Progress, a "left-wing think tank"?

 

[Trausti]

If we’re lucky, the regressive Dems will continue to spit venom at Manchin confirming he made the right decision.