Don't Worry About It?
On the infrastructure front, TPM Reader MC thinks Manchins talk is mostly just talk, made to put himself at the center of the conversation and maximize his leverage when final negotiations get underway on an actual bill. I will add that this is broadly consistent with what Ive heard from people close to the decision-making processes. And its always seemed to me like the most likely scenario. Still, hope is not a plan. Your recent post is great, but to my mind misses something about Manchins possible decision process. Its been known for a long time that drafting the infrastructure legislation would take awhile. Back in early April, Pelosi said publicly that she hoped the text would be ready by July 4, with a vote in August. The timeline hasnt been extended by Manchins hemming and hawing.