The Senate had braced for a series of politically tough amendment votes that will stretch late into the night and into Saturday, the last major hurdle senators face before voting on President Joe Biden’s top legislative priority.
But one planned amendment by Ohio GOP Sen. Rob Portman paused the proceedings before they even really began. The Republican proposal would give an additional $300 per week through July to the unemployed. Democrats had sought to give that amount through September, and also make up to $10,200 of unemployment benefits tax free. The underlying relief bill would extend jobless benefits at $400 per week through August.
While his party leaders urged Manchin to support the amendment backed by the White House, the moderate Democrat signaled Friday afternoon to Republicans that he would back Portman’s plan due to his concerns about the tax-free provision.
In a 50-50 Senate, Manchin’s vote is critical. And at least on jobless benefits, it appears the Democrats don’t have it.
Manchin repeatedly refused to comment on where things stood Friday evening. “No comments, no comments. NO comments. No comments, guys,” he said.
Democrats see test of unity on minimum wage and jobless benefits
Friday’s amendment votes are already a major test of Democratic unity at a time when Senate Democratic leaders have no margin of error given the 50-50 partisan split of the chamber, where Vice President Kamala Harris is the tie-breaking vote.
Eight senators in the Democratic conference — Jon Tester of Montana, Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, Manchin, Angus King of Maine, Jeanne Shaheen and…
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