After Beating GOP On $3.5T Budget Plan, Some Dems Still Uneasy

Senators Joe Manchin III of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona voted to advance a budget blueprint through the legislative process but have signaled they want to see total cost drop, amusing some of their colleagues in the process, Emily Cochrane reported for the New York Times.

Photo Insert: The official portrait of Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia

Manchin announced on Wednesday that he was unlikely to support a $3.5 trillion economic package, just hours after he helped advance a budget blueprint that would allow his party to craft legislation with that price tag.

He provided a key vote over unanimous Republican opposition to approve the blueprint, which allows Senate Democrats to create an expansive package that they hope will fund climate change, health care and education measures while increasing taxes on wealthy people and corporations.

The Senate adopted the measure 50 to 49, with one lawmaker, Senator Mike Rounds, Republican of South Dakota, absent for the vote just before 4 a.m.

But less than four hours later, Manchin issued a statement declaring “serious concerns about the grave consequences facing West Virginians and every American family if Congress decides to spend another $3.5 trillion.”

“I firmly believe that continuing to spend at irresponsible levels puts at risk our nation’s ability to respond to the unforeseen crises our country could face,” Mr. Manchin said.

“I urge my colleagues to seriously consider this reality as this budget process unfolds in the coming weeks and months.” Sinema had previously said she would not support a final $3.5 trillion package.

Like Manchin, she framed her vote in support of the budget blueprint as a way to begin the process, as opposed to embracing the intended outcome, Zolan Kanno-Youngs also reported for the New York Times.

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