Manchin Urges House Infrastructure Bill Vote

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., urged House Democratic leaders Monday to hold a vote this week (see 2110290066) on the Senate-passed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (HR-3684). He criticized lawmakers in the party’s liberal wing during a news conference for holding the measure “hostage” until there’s a deal on the Build Back Better Act budget reconciliation package (HR-5376). Both measures include billions of dollars for broadband, though the amount in a Thursday revised draft of HR-5376 is significantly lower than Democrats originally sought (see 2110280074). Continuing to delay a House vote on HR-3684 “is not going to work in getting my support” for HR-5376, Manchin told reporters. “The political games have to stop.” Congressional Progressive Caucus members intend to vote for both HR-3684 and HR-5376 this week, Chair Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., said during a CNN appearance after Manchin’s comments. “We’ve got to trust” that President Joe Biden will handle Manchin and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, the two Senate Democrats who have remained holdouts on supporting the reconciliation plan, Jayapal said. “We remain confident that the plan” for HR-5376 will get Manchin’s support, said White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki.