“Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), America’s ultimate swing voter, told me on ‘Axios on HBO’ that he’ll insist Republicans have more of a voice on President Biden’s next big package than they did on the COVID stimulus. Manchin said he’ll push for tax hikes to pay for Biden’s upcoming infrastructure and climate proposal, and will use his Energy Committee chairmanship to force the GOP to confront climate reality. Manchin, 73, said Biden expects, and understands, the pushback: ‘He’s the first president we’ve had to really, really understand the workings of the Senate since LBJ.'”

“Manchin said that with just a few concessions, it would have been possible to get some Republicans on the COVID relief package that passed the Senate this weekend on a party-line vote. And he said he’ll block Biden’s next big package – $2 trillion to $4 trillion for climate and infrastructure – if Republicans aren’t included. ‘I’m not going to do it through reconciliation,’ which requires only a simple majority, like the COVID stimulus, Manchin said. ‘I am not going to get on a bill that cuts them out completely before we start trying.’ Asked if he believes it’s possible to get 10 Republicans on the infrastructure package, which could yield the 60 votes needed under normal Senate rules, Manchin said: ‘I sure do.’ Manchin said the infrastructure bill can be big – as much as $4 trillion – as long as it’s paid for with tax increases. He said he’ll start his bargaining by requiring the package be 100% paid for” – Axios.