But when asked if he regretted voting for China’s bill, Graham replied, “It’s not that I regret it, it’s because we, you know, it’s a problem. “
Earlier this month, Republicans threatened to scrap the China festival bill (it was blocked in committee) as long as Democrats kept working on passing a bill on party-line social policy through reconciliation. Texas, gave the green light to the Chinese bill after Manchin, D-W. Virginia made an appearance to spill clean water on efforts to include climate, energy and tax provisions in legislation.
THE HOUSE APPROVES THE BILL FOR COMPETITION IN CHINA AND SENDS IT TO PRESIDENT BIDEN’S OFFICE
But just hours after the Senate passed China’s bill, also known as CHIPS, on Wednesday, Manchin and Schumer, D-N. Y. , announced a package of all those provisions, adding more than $400 billion in spending and $739 billion in tax increases.
Cornyn enlightened Manchin in a verbal exchange with reporters on Thursday, such a move through Manchin and democrats would “poison the well” of cooperation.
“It was a radical change. Everything he said, he rejected it, now he supports it,” Cornyn said. “I wonder what was the transaction that led him to affirm. “
I regret it when other people want to look you in the eye and lie to you. But it’s a lesson learned, and it probably won’t happen again.
BIDEN URGES CONGRESS TO OMIT MANCHIN’S DEAL ‘FAR FROM PERFECT’: ‘PUT POLITICS ASIDE, DO IT’
Cornyn said, “I regret it when other people need to look you in the eye and lie to you. But it’s a lesson learned and it may not happen again. “He also argued that China’s bill and reconciliation bill are “unrelated,” they explicitly connected them just a few weeks ago.
“The CHIPS bill is to prop up an existential risk to our economy and national security, and that justifies itself,” Cornyn said.
When asked how he had connected them before, Cornyn said, “There were in the past that they weren’t going to pay to raise taxes. . . They distorted it. But that doesn’t mean the CHIPS bill isn’t important. “
MANCHIN AND SCHUMER AGREE ON A REALLY REDUCED VERSION OF BUILD BACK BETTER
Meanwhile, Manchin told reporters Thursday that he didn’t think he had fired fast at Republicans.
“You know, I hope they don’t feel like this. I mean, I perceive they are, but I don’t know why,” he said.
The senator also defended the substance of the bill and said Republicans deserve it if they push aside partisanship.
WHAT’S IN THE MANCHIN-SCHUMER TAX INCREASES AND CLIMATE CHANGE BILL?
“I hope they look at it with, let’s say, clear glasses,” Manchin said.
Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, whose state is expected to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the Chinese bill, criticized the Schumer-Manchin deal. But, he said, “CHIPS is vital to Ohio. “
Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn. , said he was “very disappointed with the setback that has occurred. “Manchin was about to announce a deal.
Meanwhile, Democrats say their bill will be the economy, lower inflation and better position America for the twenty-first century.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 will make a historic down payment in deficit relief to combat inflation, invest in domestic energy production and manufacturing, and carbon emissions by approximately 40% through 2030,” Schumer and Manchin said in a joint statement.
“This is the action that other Americans have been waiting for. It solves today’s problems — higher health care prices and headline inflation — as well as investments in our energy security for the future,” President Biden said of the bill in a statement. Wednesday.
The Senate will most likely begin debate on the Manchin-Schumer deal next week.
Kelly Phares of Fox News contributed to this report.
Tyler Olson covers politics for Fox News Digital. You can reach him on tyler. olson@fox. com and on Twitter at @TylerOlson1791.