Manchin’s Plan to Avert a Debt Crisis Just Might Work
The moderate Democrat from West Virginia has again put himself at the center of Washington’s main debate — and this time it’s Republicans who need to listen.
Once again, the man to see.
Photographer: STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFPAs part of a deal to increase the debt ceiling, Joe Manchin wants Congress to appoint a bipartisan commission on entitlement reform. I know what you’re thinking: Another debt ceiling crisis? Another bipartisan commission? Another session of Congress dominated by what Joe Manchin wants?
This time, however, it’s Republicans more than Democrats who ought to appreciate the wisdom of playing ball with the moderate Democratic senator from West Virginia. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and his colleagues have painted themselves into a corner on this issue. They’ve made clear what they don’t want to do — raise the debt ceiling without concessions from Democrats — but they don’t have an alternative proposal of their own.