President Joe Biden's climate plans and the billion-dollar subsidy for agriculture in the American countryside are at risk of stalling due to the opposing vote of one senator. Democrat Joe Manchin (Virginia) withheld his approval Monday for the $1.75 trillion budget aimed at a major overhaul of rural areas in the United States.
Manchin's unwillingness to support the bill is crucial because President Biden cannot afford to lose even a single Democratic vote from his colleagues in the 50-50 Senate. Republicans have already stated they will vote against it.
Manchin did not demand specific changes to the so-called Build Back Better legislation, but instead expressed concerns about its economic impact. Biden previously said he was confident his proposal would secure the support of 51 senators, and has not yet responded to Manchin’s statement.
Biden's bill includes more than $90 billion for agriculture, rural development, and forestry. The plans by Biden and Agriculture Secretary Vilsack also allocate $27 billion for farm conservation, including a $25 per acre subsidy for planting cover crops; $27 billion for forestry; $18.3 billion for rural development; $2 billion for agricultural research; and $6 billion for debt relief for farmers.
Manchin’s announcement came just hours after President Biden spoke at the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland, urging world leaders to reduce their countries' greenhouse gas emissions.
It was not immediately clear what consequences Manchin’s vote declaration would have on Democratic politicians’ plans to soon vote on parts of Biden’s proposals for new roads, bridges, and infrastructure.
Progressives within the Democratic Party want to vote only on the entire package, fearing that 'social components' (such as school milk, child nutrition, medical outposts, and school buildings) might be cut. Senator Manchin wants separate votes on these matters.
He stated he was clear that he would not support “a reconciliation package that expands social programs and our national debt.” Many of the agricultural provisions in the Build Back Better Bill are supported by American farming groups seeking federal support for climate-related agricultural practices.