Democratic Congresswoman Katie Porter of California is known for her stark resolve in holding the absurdly wealthy to account for not paying their fair share.
Her questioning in committee hearings has gone viral on numerous occasions, with social media users praising her takedowns of big bank and pharma CEOs, often with the help of her trusty whiteboard to lay out the numbers.
Now, Porter is turning that scrutiny onto one of her colleagues in Congress, moderate Democratic Senator Joe Manchin.
Manchin recently pledged he wouldn't vote for the upcoming $3.5 trillion (over 10 years) reconciliation budget bill, which would grant expanded access to childcare, vital pushback against the climate crisis, and a wealth of other progressive developments.
In a recent op-ed for the Wall Street Journal, Manchin raised all-too-familiar concerns about spending, writing:
"Instead of rushing to spend trillions on new government programs and additional stimulus funding, Congress should hit a strategic pause on the budget-reconciliation legislation."
With Democrats holding only a razor-thin functional majority in the Senate, Manchin's vote threatens not only the passage of the reconciliation bill, but of the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill recently passed by the Senate. The House is holding off on a floor vote for the bipartisan bill on the condition of the reconciliation bill's passage.
Porter put the pressure on Manchin in a recent interview with MSNBC's Stephanie Ruehl.
Watch below.
"With regard to Sen. Manchin, others who want to talk about the price tag about this ... If something costs A, you have 2 options. You can negotiate down from A, or you can find the find the money, we have revenue options on the table," Rep. Porter says on $3.5T spending bill.pic.twitter.com/MTxxOWDoUT— MSNBC (@MSNBC) 1631200549
Porter pointed out that, rather than lowering the price tag at the expense of lifesaving features of the bill, it could be paid for with sensible revenue measures like greater IRS enforcement and expanded taxes on corporations.
She then suggested the actual motive for Manchin's opposition:
"I have the will to do it. The question is does Senator Manchin, or is he more concerned about his corporate donors, including large corporations, the oil and gas industry, the big pharmaceutical industry, and others who are getting away with paying nothing under our current tax system?"
It's no secret that Manchin has heavy financial support from those representing fossil fuel interests. Natural gas company Tellurian is one of Manchin's top donors, to name one.
People praised Porter for calling him out.
Give \u2018em hell @katieporteroc !!https://twitter.com/msnbc/status/1435985298215870465\u00a0\u2026— Brenda Abele (@Brenda Abele) 1631203624
We need more like her representing us. I just love her!https://twitter.com/msnbc/status/1435985298215870465\u00a0\u2026— Really?!! (@Really?!!) 1631200829
@RepKatiePorter for the win!! And you can see @SRuhle enjoying the response with her sitting back, crossing her arms, and nodding along like \u201cPreach it sista!!\u201dhttps://twitter.com/msnbc/status/1435985298215870465\u00a0\u2026— Jay Williams (@Jay Williams) 1631200815
Rep. Porter is Awesome! Give them Hell, and them Some!https://twitter.com/MSNBC/status/1435985298215870465\u00a0\u2026— Carlos Mejias (@Carlos Mejias) 1631200830
Need more folks like Katie Porter in government.https://twitter.com/MSNBC/status/1435985298215870465\u00a0\u2026— Eddie Mackalicious (@Eddie Mackalicious) 1631205127
Katie Porter being her awesome self once againhttps://twitter.com/MSNBC/status/1435985298215870465\u00a0\u2026— Lea \u270d Protect our vote! (@Lea \u270d Protect our vote!) 1631201488
She's far from the only progressive elected official to call out Manchin's allegiance to fossil fuels and corporations.
Manchin has weekly huddles w/ Exxon & is one of many senators who gives lobbyists their pen to write so-called \u201cbipartisan\u201d fossil fuel bills.\n\nIt\u2019s killing people. Our people. At least 12 last night. Sick of this \u201cbipartisan\u201d corruption that masquerades as clear-eyed moderation.https://twitter.com/sahilkapur/status/1433508807917940737\u00a0\u2026— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 1630613956
Instead of writing op-eds, why don't you look into the faces of my residents who have had their basements flooded with sewage multiple times and their power out for days, Senator Manchin. We deserve better.https://twitter.com/sahilkapur/status/1433508807917940737\u00a0\u2026— Rashida Tlaib (@Rashida Tlaib) 1630613899
Manchin & Co. be like \u201cdefund the police costs us elections\u201d while actively sabotaging our Dem agenda.\n\nOur movement was at the heart of the organizing that won us the 2020 elections. Now conservative Dems block our progress.\n\nJoin us in saving lives or get out of our way.— Cori Bush (@Cori Bush) 1623102900
Manchin has yet to respond.
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