Manchin sees deal on Biden agenda this week, resists Medicare expansion

But Manchin, whose vote is essential to passing the Biden agenda, indicated he still has concerns over an expansion of Medicare and new paid leave policies and wants the price tag to stay at $1.5 trillion, far short of what many liberals are demanding.

Manchin may have the final say as Biden and Democratic leaders have moved dramatically in his direction to win over both the West Virginia Democrat and another key moderate, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, as both have threatened to defect and effectively derail the agenda.

The effort to win over Manchin and reach a framework deal this week comes as top Democrats are hoping to pass a separate $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill out of the House as soon as Wednesday. Progressives have demanded a deal on the larger proposal before agreeing to vote on the infrastructure bill, leaving the fate of the two Biden priorities intertwined.

Asked by CNN if there will be a framework agreement this week, Manchin said, "I think a framework should be, really should be."

"Having it finished with all the T's and I's and everything crossed and dotted, that will be difficult ... but as far as conceptually we should," he said.

The social safety net plan is aimed at addressing a host of key Democratic priorities on health care, aid for families and the climate crisis and would fulfill much of Biden's domestic agenda. But agreement on key issues has not yet been finalized, including the overall cost of the package, how it will be paid for and how to deal with policy items like a proposed Medicare expansion that progressives want to see included.

On the overall price tag, Manchin said that he is "still" at $1.5 trillion for a topline, a number that top Democrats have been hoping to push higher given that progressives had called for a $3.5 trillion price tag.

Manchin also expressed concerns over insolvency when asked by CNN whether he is open to expanding Medicare.

"Medicare and Social Security is a lifeline for people back in West Virginia, most people around the country, and you've got to stabilize that first before you look at basically expansion," he said. "So, if we're not being fiscally responsible, that's really concerning."

Asked specifically about whether he is concerned that adding dental, vision and hearing could make Medicare insolvent, Manchin said, "Right now it's not fiscally responsible, I don't think. I've always tried to be fiscally responsible and for me to tell you 'I'm going to give you something,' where by 2026 you could be paying more premiums because what we have right now is in dire need. So I want to make sure we shore up everything."

Asked if he is concerned about paid leave in the package, Manchin said, "I'm concerned about an awful lot of things." Asked if paid leave will be part of a framework deal, he said, "I'm not going to talk about what's in and what's out right now because there's an awful lot of moving parts, but there's a lot of concerns that we have a lot of different things."

Manchin did suggest, though, that he is open to a tax on billionaires and a corporate minimum tax as potential pay-for mechanisms for the plan.

Asked if he supports a wealth tax, Manchin did not shut down the idea, saying, "I support basically everyone paying their fair share of taxes. How you get to it, we all have a different approach to that, but as far as on taxation, I think that corporations should be paying at least a minimum if they're doing business in the United States."

Manchin also outlined his overall philosophy as he plays a key role in the negotiations and is frequently at odds with progressives in his party. "I've always said that I believe that government should you be, should be your best partner, but it shouldn't be your provider," he said.

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