Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) has reportedly laid down new red lines for the Democrats’ multi-trillion reconciliation bill, this time making demands regarding the expanded child tax credit provision.
Manchin informed the White House that the child tax credit must have an “established work” requirement and a family income limit in the $60,000 range if Democrats want his vote for the package.
Manchin has previously called for work requirements for the child tax credit, in addition to “means testing” to place a cap on the income of people who can receive benefits under the program.
He told reporters late last month “I want work requirements for everything. Means testing and work requirements.”
Manchin said that while he supports the child tax credits and is “trying to help the children,” he wants to “make sure we’re getting it to the right people.”
“There’s no work requirements whatsoever. There’s no education requirements whatsoever for better skill sets. Don’t you think, if we’re going to help the children, that the people should make some effort?” Manchin said.
Progressives, however, are unlikely to get on board with the scaled-back version of the child tax credit.
The senator’s demands would also bring significant changes to the child tax credit after the president signed a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill in March that funded the program for one year. The program will now give most families up to $3,600 a year instead of $2,000 annually, and directly deposit the payments into bank accounts.
Manchin did, however, signal that he was willing to support Biden’s $450 billion initiative to subsidize day care and provide free universal preschool, sources told Axios. He reportedly wants tighter income caps to be placed on day care subsidies, but to keep preschool free.
Manchin has drawn a number of red lines for the reconciliation package in recent weeks, as the moderate senator looks to wield his power during negotiations between the White House and lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Democrats need the support of all 50 of the party’s senators for the reconciliation bill to get to Biden’s desk.
