Congressional Democrats continue to wrangle over the specifics of a $3.5 trillion (over 10 years) reconciliation bill that needs every Democratic vote to pass the Senate. Its failure to pass all but ensures the defeat in the House of its bipartisan sister infrastructure bill, which was passed by the Senate earlier this year.
The reconciliation bill boasts a number of highly popular policies such as universal childcare, free community college, child tax credits, climate policy improvements, and other initiatives.
One of the $3.5 trillion bill's most notorious holdouts is conservative Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia, who claims the bill would veer the United States into an "entitlement" society.
Manchin—a multimillionaire whose campaigns rely on donations from big oil companies—doubled down on his bulwark against relief for everyday Americans. Axios reports that Manchin is demanding Democrats choose only one social policy (paid family leave, expanded child tax credit, or childcare subsidies) to be included in the bill in order to gain his support.
Firebrand progressive Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, a major supporter of the reconciliation bill, lambasted Manchin for his constant deference to special interests in light of his stinginess when it comes to transforming the lives of everyday Americans.
Ocasio-Cortez called the Senator out on Twitter.
Ah yes, the Conservative Dem position: \u201cYou can either feed your kid, recover from your c-section, or have childcare so you can go to work - but not all three. All 3 makes you entitled and lazy.\u201d\n\nBut fossil fuel $, keeping Rx prices high,& not taxing Wall St are \u201cnon-negotiable\u201dhttps://twitter.com/citizencohn/status/1445928421180252160\u00a0\u2026— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 1633634940
People largely agreed.
If we lift people up they won't be desperate enough to work for low wages and the bottom line of the lobbyists will be affected.\n\nPlease think of the lobbyists and the Senator's yacht. \n\nIt's not about the price tag it's about controlling people and keeping them desperate.https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1446195877937356807\u00a0\u2026— Eric Garcia for Congress (@Eric Garcia for Congress) 1633636808
I really hope Progressives hold the line against the blackmail being perpetrated by conservative Dem senatorshttps://twitter.com/aoc/status/1446195877937356807\u00a0\u2026— Adam McMahon (@Adam McMahon) 1633635182
Incredible. I\u2019m not sure why I ever supported or believed in this joke of a party. Why is it that the only people looking to help actual people are the ones being ostracized? Thank god for aoc and the rest of the progs or else we\u2019d be lost.https://twitter.com/aoc/status/1446195877937356807\u00a0\u2026— Matt Barnsley, MFA, NP (@Matt Barnsley, MFA, NP) 1633640241
Any arguments with the point she makes here @Sen_JoeManchin?\n\nChildcare allows struggling parents to work. Not sit at home. \nKids are expensive..wages are not high enough to cover it all.\nHealthcare is a right - not a privilege\n \nAll of these help the US economyhttps://twitter.com/AOC/status/1446195877937356807\u00a0\u2026— Who Dey Buckeye (@Who Dey Buckeye) 1633635864
These people. I would love to see them survive on the meager allowance (the small amount/the meager minimum wage allowed by these inhumane fucks) they set for millions of Americans. Without and \u201chandouts\u201d as they call them.https://twitter.com/aoc/status/1446195877937356807\u00a0\u2026— Ingrid Ross\ud83d\udc44\ud83c\udf11 (@Ingrid Ross\ud83d\udc44\ud83c\udf11) 1633635368
She's not the only one giving Manchin heat for the position.
When it comes to Manchin, cruelty is the point. This is an appalling demand.https://twitter.com/CitizenCohn/status/1445928421180252160\u00a0\u2026— BlackWomenViews Media (@BlackWomenViews Media) 1633621086
This dude really hates his constituents. Especially the non-cishet white male ones, but really he hates them all.https://twitter.com/CitizenCohn/status/1445928421180252160\u00a0\u2026— Leslie Mac (@Leslie Mac) 1633630984
America: pick between going to your mom\u2019s chemo appointment, buying your children books, and being able to afford your child care.https://twitter.com/citizencohn/status/1445928421180252160\u00a0\u2026— Dr. Kate Gallagher Robbins (@Dr. Kate Gallagher Robbins) 1633571662
He had absolutely no problem with tfg tax break for the rich. But giving parents help in raising their children while they work a job? Excessive spending, entitlement, too expensive, they don't deserve it, let them do without. If they suffer they suffer. Should have been rich.https://twitter.com/CitizenCohn/status/1445928421180252160\u00a0\u2026— Nikki Now\ud83d\udc9b\ud83d\udc1d \ud83d\udc40\ud83e\udd33\ud83d\ude4f (@Nikki Now\ud83d\udc9b\ud83d\udc1d \ud83d\udc40\ud83e\udd33\ud83d\ude4f) 1633629662
It is insane to me how much of @JoeManchinWV's career has been spent blocking legislation that would benefit the vast majority of the people who elected him.https://twitter.com/CitizenCohn/status/1445928421180252160\u00a0\u2026— Kyle \ud83e\udd37\u200d\u2642\ufe0f Jarrett (@Kyle \ud83e\udd37\u200d\u2642\ufe0f Jarrett) 1633635556
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