President Says Compromise with Senator Manchin Will Lead to Progress on Key Domestic Policy

President Joe Biden has admitted that negotiations surrounding his extensive $2 trillion domestic policy bill will likely stretch into the new year, as the Senate remains short of the votes needed to move the legislation forward.

Biden’s acknowledgment came on Thursday as it became evident that the Democrats would not meet their self-imposed deadline of passing the bill by Christmas, largely due to the ongoing resistance from Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia.

In a statement, Biden confirmed that he had briefed both House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer about the latest discussions with Manchin, who has repeatedly stated his support for the framework of the bill. The President expressed his confidence that the differences would be resolved, saying, “We will bridge our differences and advance the Build Back Better plan, even in the face of fierce Republican opposition.”

The President’s remarks were seen as a necessary intervention, providing Senate Democrats with a pathway to continue negotiations after months of impasse. Biden also emphasised that talks would continue next week, as both he and Schumer remain determined to bring the bill to the Senate floor as soon as possible. “We must — we will — get Build Back Better passed,” Biden insisted.

Alongside the stalled social and environmental legislation, Biden also stressed the importance of progressing with voting rights legislation, which faces its own set of challenges in the Senate.

Meanwhile, Senate Democrats faced setbacks when the Senate parliamentarian ruled that immigration law changes, which had been heavily negotiated, could not be included in the package due to Senate rules. Democrats expressed strong disagreement with the ruling, pledging to explore all avenues to ensure a path to citizenship remains part of the bill.

Senator Manchin, who has played a key role in negotiating the terms of the bill, has continued to press for cost reductions and the removal of certain provisions. He has notably called for the child tax credit, a key part of the legislation, to be excluded or limited, which has sparked significant backlash within the Democratic Party.

The delays and disagreements surrounding the bill could have serious implications for the Democrats heading into the 2022 elections, as Republicans have accused them of inefficiency and failing to meet their legislative goals.

Despite the hurdles, Biden and Democratic leaders remain hopeful that a compromise will be reached and that the bill will pass in the new year, with crucial provisions for healthcare, climate change, and social welfare still on the table.