Now that it’s clear the progressives were correct about Joe Manchin all along it may be time to finally get down to how to deal with him. So what exactly could be done at the administration level since it was so important not to link the BBB to the infrastructure bill.
There are funds designated for roads and bridges everywhere clearly Joe Manchin does not think West Virginia needs anything as it’s people are doing so well already so it makes total sense to completely rule the state out of any highway funds. If some of those funds have to be used in West Virginia by law it makes total sense to designate those funds for distribution in the last year of the bills life. No reason to reward his behavior by actually putting funding into his state until it absolutely has to be put there.
We’ll be greatly expanding Amtrak and public rail infrastructure as well as public transportation. With no concerns about West Virginia again those funds could be directed elsewhere.
The EPA can limit coal plant emissions and are in fact already scheduling limits for future years to come down dramatically. Now would be the time to accelerate those draw downs to crack down on all coal power plants in America. Oh and by the way the Carbon Capture segments in the infrastructure bill can be dedicated to anything but coal emissions. It can be made so expensive to operate a coal power plant they get shut down completely. We’ve tried to work with Coal Baron Joe and it didn’t work so now it might be time to shut him down. Then there are the mine reclamation and restoration sections of the infrastructure bill. There are many mines in other states that could undoubtedly use the funding and it would be simple to direct all funding from this away from West Virginia.
I’m sure there will be comments about not holding the poor in West Virginia responsible for the actions of one Senator with absolutely no integrity. My answer is simply this is the last lever that may be used against him. It may not work and if it doesn’t they can replace him in the next election (2024) with either another Republican who cares about nothing but himself or a real Democrat who will try to serve his voters. You can no longer say that Manchin as a Democrat is still better than a Republican so please don’t. Nothing for West Virginia is what Manchin has fought hard for — it is only right that he receives it.
One last bit here — now might be the time to forgive all student loans and ask Machin what he thinks that will do to the deficit.