change the Senate rules to pass elections reform.<\/a><\/p>\nBiden spent most of the fall trying to win Manchin\u2019s support, including hosting him in Delaware. Manchin has never explicitly said he supports the bill focused on childcare, climate action, pre-K and tax reform, though he has endorsed individual components. He\u2019s also raised fundamental concerns on how the bill is structured, questioning its 10-year financing when lawmakers are authorizing programs on shorter time spans.<\/p>\n
\u201cSen. Manchin is not telling President Biden what to include or not include. He has always been supportive of the\u201d child tax credit, said a source familiar with Manchin\u2019s thinking. \u201cHe has also made it clear the cost should not be greater than $1.75 trillion.\u201d<\/p>\n
The tax credit is one of the most costly parts of the bill on an annual basis, though the current bill includes only a one-year extension. Over 10 years the credit would cost about $1.4 trillion.<\/p>\n
Manchin\u2019s never been the sort of senator to cast a deciding vote against a Democratic president\u2019s signature legislation. But there’s no wiggle room this time; with a 50-50 Senate and no Republicans supporting the bill, Manchin will take down the filibuster-proof legislation unless he gets on board.<\/p>\n
That reality and Manchin\u2019s brand of Democratic conservatism has placed him at the center of Biden\u2019s climate and social spending bill, as well as the stalled push to enact elections reform legislation.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoe Biden, to his credit, has never given up. He always tries to put himself in the shoes of other people, particularly with whom he\u2019s negotiating. He\u2019s always trying to meet the other person halfway, he\u2019s sincere,\u201d said Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), who\u2019s been working to address some of Manchin\u2019s concerns on climate-related provisions. \u201cWe tried to narrow what the president has to focus on in his conversations with the senator from West Virginia.\u201d<\/p>\n
Biden had a lengthy phone call with Manchin on Monday and again spoke to him on Tuesday. Asked how often he\u2019s talking to Biden, Manchin said on Tuesday: \u201cI\u2019m just waiting. I\u2019m not in charge.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not just Biden, of course, who is pushing Manchin on a regular basis. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is coordinating with both, speaking to the president and the senator regularly. Individual rank-and-file senators are also frequently talking to Manchin. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) was one of several Democrats who spoke to Manchin on the Senate floor for several minutes on Wednesday, although it did not appear to be a particularly upbeat conversation.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the West Wing has treated the Manchin relationship with the utmost care \u2014 wary of doing anything that could potentially alienate him.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s our longstanding rule not to discuss the specifics of private discussions with lawmakers, but president and Sen. Manchin have had productive and friendly conversations,\u201d Bates said. “The President wants to pass Build Back Better as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Biden counselor Steve Ricchetti, one of Biden\u2019s most trusted and affable lieutenants, has taken the lead role in dealing with Manchin, according to a source familiar with the dynamics. The White House said that Manchin has also had calls with other senior aides including National Economic Council Director Brian Deese and Lousia Terrell, head of the Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA).<\/p>\n
The White House\u2019s regional media team was also told long ago to stay away from West Virginia until after a deal had been struck. Chad Metzler, the White House\u2019s senate legislative affairs liaison, is technically the Manchin lead in the OLA. But anything that touches West Virginia or Manchin will often prompt much of that office to get involved. The White House downplayed that was particular to Manchin and said the 50-50 Senate required the OLA to approach senators as a team.<\/p>\n
Asked about the relationship, one White House official said: \u201cThis is the ultimate area where I just wanna keep my mouth shut and hope everything works out.\u201d<\/p>\n
The impasse has the entire Senate schedule in flux and Democratic senators unsure of what will come next. In interview after interview, Democrats said they didn\u2019t know whether Manchin and Biden were anywhere close to a deal. And that meant Democrats don\u2019t know when their bill to expand the social safety net, known as Build Back Better, will see the president\u2019s desk, either.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will pass Build Back Better,\u201d said Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.), the No. 3 House Democrat. \u201cWe\u2019re just not gonna pass it on the time frame that some people would like to see.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nicholas Wu contributed to this report.<\/p>\n
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