Manchin signals he is open to vote on social spending bill before the end of the year

Sen. Joe Manchin isn't putting the brakes on President Joe Biden's massive spending bill anymore.

The West Virginia Democrat said Wednesday he is open to a vote on the $1.85 trillion social spending legislation before the end of the year. House Democratic leaders are pushing for a vote on the proposal as early as Thursday. Assuming the bill passes the House, it would likely undergo major changes in the Senate.

Manchin has expressed concern about the recent level of federal spending, including the $1.2 trillion infrastructure law Biden signed on Monday. Manchin has raised concerns that a too-expensive bill would contribute to rising inflation.

Manchin's support for the social spending in the Senate is crucial for its passage since no Republicans are expected to back it.

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But Manchin told reporters Wednesday morning that he is open to a vote before the end of the year, though he didn't say which way he would vote.

"I'm not in charge of the timing," Manchin said. "Whatever they want to do is fine with me. If we're going to vote, vote."

Manchin had previously expressed concern about voting on the bill before Christmas.

Even if House Democrats pass the bill this week, a Senate vote is likely weeks away. Some centrists in the conference have said they would like to see the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office's final analysis of the cost of the bill before it is considered for a vote. But that score is unlikely to be completed this week, meaning the centrists may be forced to vote on the bill without it. Due to the party's slim House majority, they can only afford to lose three votes to pass the bill.

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Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Wednesday there would be a vote on the bill in the Senate this calendar year.

"Depends on when the House sends it to us," Schumer told reporters. "And we have to go through a lot of the parliamentary stuff."

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