Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) is seeking out a new role for himself in the Democratic-led Senate, positioning himself as a bridge between his party and Republican leaders to negotiate must-pass legislation.
In the last Congress, Manchin held considerable power as the chamber was split evenly along party lines — meaning Democrats would need to get the West Virginia senator on board or they’d risk sinking their agenda. Now as Democrats hold a 51-49 majority, Manchin is seeking to establish himself as the bridge between party leaders.
JOE MANCHIN LATEST IN LINE OF DEMOCRATS CONSIDERING EXIT FROM PARTY
“I’ve always had a good, friendly relationship with [House Speaker Kevin McCarthy], and he’s in a position now where if we try to work together we can do a lot of good for our country,” Manchin said, according to the Hill. “He wants things to happen.”
Manchin defended McCarthy, whom he has previously called one of his good friends, noting the speaker’s “tough hand” in the House where he only holds a slim majority. Going further, Manchin rejected the idea that negotiations between Democrats and Republicans would be impossible.
“It’s unreasonable for any senator, any congressperson representing the United States government to say, ‘I’m not going to negotiate,’” he said. “If you can’t communicate and you won’t talk to each other, you got a problem.”
Manchin’s comments come as Congress must come to an agreement on how to address the debt ceiling while both parties remain adamant not to bend to the other side despite a looming deadline to find a solution before defaulting on the country’s loans.
The United States reached the $31.4 trillion debt ceiling on Jan. 19, prompting Secretary Janet Yellen to introduce extraordinary measures so the country can continue to meet its existing payments until June. However, if Congress fails to come to an agreement on how to address the debt ceiling, the country could default on its loans and cause a massive disruption to the national economy.
If Manchin can remain a crucial mediator between parties, it could also place the West Virginia senator in a good position as he mulls reelection in 2024. Manchin is considered to be one of the most vulnerable Democrats heading into the 2024 election cycle as he would be running in a state that former President Donald Trump won by 38.9 percentage points in 2020.
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However, Manchin seems to be in no rush to announce his plans.
“I haven’t made a decision what I’m going to do in 2024,” he told NBC’s Meet the Press earlier this month, also refusing to confirm whether he’d remain in the Democratic Party. “I’ve got two years ahead of me now to do the best I can for the state and for my country.”
