Did Joe Manchin Support Ending the Filibuster?

There has been much discussion and confusion surrounding Joe Manchin's stance on the filibuster in the context of the Inflation Reduction Act. To clarify, Joe Manchin did not vote to 'end' the filibuster. Instead, he agreed to a solution that circumvents the need to 'break' the filibuster. This article will delve into the specifics and provide a detailed explanation of the events surrounding the Inflation Reduction Act and its passage through the Senate.

What is the Filibuster?

The filibuster is a procedural tool in the United States Senate that allows a minority of senators to delay or block a vote on a bill by debating it without interruption and with the ability to filibuster indefinitely. It requires a supermajority of 60 votes to invoke cloture and proceed to a final vote.

Joe Manchin's Role in the Inflation Reduction Act

Joe Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia, played a pivotal role in the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. On August 10, 2022, Manchin publicly backed theInflation Reduction Act, a key piece of legislation aimed at addressing climate change and reducing inflation. However, Manchin's support did not involve changing the rules of the Senate to end the filibuster outright. Instead, he agreed to a workaround by using the budget reconciliation process.

What is Budget Reconciliation?

Budget reconciliation is a budgetary procedure that allows the Senate to pass certain spending and tax measures by a simple majority of 51 votes, bypassing the need for a 60-vote supermajority. It is used to address spending policies, as well as tax cuts or increases that are intended to impact the budget deficit or surplus.

How the Inflation Reduction Act Passed

The Inflation Reduction Act was passed through the Senate using the budget reconciliation process. This means that the bill, which contains a mix of climate and healthcare provisions, could be passed with a simple 51-vote majority, rather than the 60 votes required to overcome a filibuster. The inclusion of several Democratic priorities, such as the expansion of clean energy tax credits, the extension of Medicaid work requirements, and the enactment of a minimum corporate tax, made it possible to move the bill forward under this process.

Conclusion: Manchin's Support and the Filibuster

In summary, Joe Manchin did not vote to end the filibuster. Instead, he supported allowing the Inflation Reduction Act to pass through the Senate using the reconciliation process, which does not require breaking the filibuster. By leveraging this process, both parties were able to move the bill forward without the need for a 60-vote supermajority. This method is a common tool used by the Senate to pass legislation that impacts the budget.

Key Points

Joe Manchin did not vote to 'end' the filibuster. The Inflation Reduction Act was passed through budget reconciliation, requiring only 51 votes. Budget reconciliation bypasses the need for a 60-vote supermajority to invoke cloture.

For more information on the details of the Inflation Reduction Act and the reconciliation process, refer to the official documents and resources from the Senate and relevant government agencies.