By Bernard P. Lawson, The Chicago Times
December 19, 2021
WASHINGTON – Senator Joe Manchin told Fox News Sunday that he could not support Biden’s $2 trillion social and environment bill.
According to Manchin “I cannot vote to continue with this piece of legislation. I just can’t. I’ve tried everything humanly possible. I can’t get there.”
Biden’s bill claims to provide billions of dollars in child tax credit, free preschool and childcare aid. The bill also claims to include $500 billion in tax breaks and spending to curb carbon emissions, limits on prescription drug prices, government housing, and job training. Biden proposes paying for the bill via higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations. However, critics have argued that high taxes on corporations will be passed on to the consumer, which would be a de facto tax on the poor and middle class.
According to Manchin, his opposition to the $2 trillion bill is over growing concerns about inflation and federal debt. Manchin wrote in a statement that progressive-socialist Democrats are trying to “. . . dramatically reshape our society in a way that leaves our country even more vulnerable to the threats we face.”
Bernard P. Lawson, National Political Reporter/Columnist for The Chicago Times. Views and comments expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the official position of The Chicago Times.
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