U.S. Democrat Manchin says he reaches deal with Schumer on drugs, energy bill

U.S. Democratic Senator Joe Manchin said on Wednesday he has reached a deal with Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer on a bill that would reduce the national debt, invest in energy technologies and lower the cost of prescription drugs. The move by Manchin, who has often been a roadblock to President Joe Biden's policy goals, expands on his earlier statement that he could support a bill that addressed prescription drug costs, but would need more time to see if he could back one that included taxation and climate provisions, citing concerns about inflation.


Reuters | Updated: 28-07-2022 03:04 IST | Created: 28-07-2022 03:04 IST
U.S. Democrat Manchin says he reaches deal with Schumer on drugs, energy bill

U.S. Democratic Senator Joe Manchin said on Wednesday he has reached a deal with Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer on a bill that would reduce the national debt, invest in energy technologies and lower the cost of prescription drugs.

The move by Manchin, who has often been a roadblock to President Joe Biden's policy goals, expands on his earlier statement that he could support a bill that addressed prescription drug costs, but would need more time to see if he could back one that included taxation and climate provisions, citing concerns about inflation. The new agreement also includes measures that would adjust the nation's tax structure and lower the cost of health insurance.

"I have worked diligently to get input from all sides on the legislation my Democratic colleagues have proposed and listened to the views of my Republican friends to find a path forward that removes inflationary policies so that Congress can respond to Americans' suffering from high prices," Manchin said. The passage of the bill would be important for Biden's legislative agenda, even if it is a significantly pared down version of the sweeping changes the president sought early in his term.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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