Manchin Resists Biden Tax Proposal to Pay for Infrastructure Spending

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said Monday he opposes President Joe Biden’s proposal to raise the corporate tax rate to 28% to pay for new infrastructure spending (see 2104010062) but would support a smaller increase. Biden’s proposal includes $100 billion for broadband as part of a larger $2.3 trillion package (see 2103310064). “If I don’t vote” to get on board with the Biden proposal, “it’s not going anywhere,” Manchin said on WV MetroNews radio. He cited the 50-50 Senate split and the possibility that Democrats will have to move a bill using the budget reconciliation process. “This whole thing has got to change,” he said. “There are six or seven other Democrats that feel strongly about” not raising the rate to 28%, from the 21% rate enacted in 2017, but would back raising it to 25%.