Democrats are working to get Sen. Kyrsten Sinema to yes on Manchin-backed climate, health, and tax bill
As Senate Democrats prepare to start voting on their in-progress climate, health care, and tax package this week, they are facing two big wild cards: the Senate parliamentarian and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), the only member of the Democratic caucus who has not publicly backed the legislation.
The package, the Inflation Reduction Act, is designed to cut prescription drug costs, incentivize people to buy electric vehicles, increase energy production from green and petroleum sources, and make the tax code fairer by closing off ways for profitable corporations and wealthy individuals to evade paying federal taxes. The Congressional Budget Office estimated Wednesday that the legislation would reduce federal deficits by $101.5 billion to $305 billion over a decade.
The parliamentarian is poring through the bill, looking for provisions that run afoul of the rules guiding the budget reconciliation process Democrats are using to sidestep a Republican filibuster. She could rule that certain parts of the bill, like the $35 cap on insulin, have a significant effect on federal spending, revenues, and debt, Politico reports. Sinema, The New York Times adds, "has remained a tight-lipped enigma," though Democrats say they are communicating with her on the legislation in private. Republicans and business interests are, too.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Behind the scenes, Sinema is seeking changes to some of the tax provisions and wants $5 billion in drought resiliency funds, a priority for her home state of Arizona, Politico and the Times report. She reportedly wants to scrap a provision that would close the "carried interest loophole" used by hedge fund and private equity mangers to pay lower taxes on fees their clients pay them, cutting about $14 billion of the bill's $739 billion in new funding. Democrats are unsure where she stands on a second provision that would ensure large, profitable corporations pay at least 15 percent in federal taxes.
Sinema is making "a relatively modest ask in the grand scheme of the legislation," Politico reports, but it could still upset the careful deal worked out between Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), the Senate's other committed centrist. All 50 Democrats have to stick together to pass the legislation in the evenly divided Senate.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
'Voters know Biden and Trump all too well'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Is the Gaza war tearing US university campuses apart?
Today's Big Question Protests at Columbia University, other institutions, pit free speech against student safety
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
DOJ settles with Nassar victims for $138M
Speed Read The settlement includes 139 sexual abuse victims of the former USA Gymnastics doctor
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine cheers House approval of military aid
Speed Read Following a lengthy struggle, the House has approved $95 billion in aid for Ukraine and Israel
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Peter Murrell: Sturgeon's husband charged over SNP 'embezzlement' claims
Speed Read SNP expresses 'shock' as former chief executive rearrested in long-running investigation into claims of mishandled campaign funds
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published