Democratic Senator Blocks Biden’s Investment Package | Abroad

Democratic Senator Joe Manchin will not vote for the US president’s ambitious investment plans if they include a tax hike for the rich and corporations or include new spending to fight the climate crisis, the reports said Thursday evening. Due to a very narrow majority in the Senate, Biden needs the votes of all Democrats, including Manchin.

Senator Manchin hails from the state of West Virginia, which is home to the nation’s largest energy and especially coal producers. Manchin had already blocked a more ambitious version of Biden’s plans last year, called the “Build Back Better Plan.”

The original investment package would cut taxes on families and expand health services. In addition, more than $500 billion was earmarked for the fight against the climate crisis, including investments in renewable energy. In recent months, Democrats had already scaled back their ambitions to secure Manchin’s support, the New York Times reported.

“Political headlines are worthless to the millions of Americans who can barely afford food and gasoline amid 9.1 percent inflation,” said Sam Runyon, Manchin’s spokeswoman. The senator would be open to measures to reduce the cost of prescription drugs for seniors.

Experts estimate the probability that Democrats will lose their majority in one or both chambers of parliament in the upcoming Congressional elections in November. At that point, the Democrats can no longer implement their investment package, despite opposition from Republicans.

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