Score one for the Democrats
Joe Manchin is all in with the deal he struck with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Appearing on “State of the Union” with Jake Tapper, Manchin said: “I think it’s a great piece of legislation and in normal times, my Republican colleagues would be for something such as this.” “Normal” is certainly the operative word here, as Republicans are anything but “normal” these days. They seem more concerned with continuing the divide they helped to build in the country rather than focusing on legislation that will benefit the very people who sent them to office in the first place.
Manchin clarified that the Inflation Reduction Act (the “Act”) will not add to inflation and raise taxes as Republicans are attempting to portray the legislation. Manchin asked Tapper: “How can it add flames to inflation fires right now if we’re paying down debt?” Paying down the debt is extremely important. Many people listen to the rhetoric but never stop to consider what’s driving the rhetoric or to look for reliable sources to give them information about what Congress is doing and why. As Manchin told Tapper, Republicans are “playing politics” instead of looking for solutions to our many problems. Democrats have made great strides in addressing some of our more dire problems with this piece of legislation.
The Act will not only pay down the debt, but it will put meaningful dollars toward solutions to our climate problems, which are only going to get worse if we can’t reduce our dependency on fossil fuels. CNN reported that not only does this legislation aim to reduce carbon emissions 40% by 2030, but it could make it easier to put a shale gas pipeline in West Virginia which can offset the emissions released by coal. These are all good things for the country and for the world. Republicans don’t care about any of this. They merely want to lambaste Manchin for finally deciding to do something good for the country.
While we were all ready to beat up Manchin for bailing out on this legislation earlier, CNN reported that he and Schumer continued their talks privately. Whatever they privately did worked, as they came out of those talks with a bill geared to easing many of the problems confronting the country. After the announcement, President Biden addressed the issue: “The work of the government can be slow and frustrating and sometimes infuriating. Then, the hard work of hours and days and months for people who refuse to give up pays off. History is made. Lives are changed.” President Biden is correct. This Act can make a huge difference in our lives, from lowering prescription prices to giving the ability to afford health insurance to many more people, the Act has many components that everyday people should applaud-which they might if they stop listening to the noise of Republicans, who just want something to complain about.
Will the Act be enough to save the Midterms for Democrats? That is difficult to tell, but regardless of what happens in the Midterms, this is good news for the American people.
Shirley is a former entertainment writer and has worked in the legal field for over 25 years