Most Popular Choices
Share on Facebook 42 Printer Friendly Page More Sharing
Exclusive to OpEd News:
OpEdNews Op Eds    H1'ed 9/23/21

The Compromise That Would Work, & Dem Centrists and Progressives Would End Gridlock & Support Both Infrastructure Bills

By       (Page 1 of 1 pages)   2 comments
Follow Me on Twitter     Message Robert Weiner
Become a Fan
  (4 fans)

COMPROMISE KEEPS PROGRAMS BUT HALF THE YEARS & RENEWABLE, SO $1.75 T NOT 3.5; & ACCESS FREE COLLEGE ETC FOR 300k NOT $400k EARNERS

By Robert Weiner and Ben Lasky

There is a compromise that should be a winner for progressives and centrists from Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Pramila Jayapal to Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema. It's the kind of compromise Congress regularly works out.

Cut the $3.5 trillion bill in half to $1.75 trillion, by making it a five instead of 10 years' package (so lose no programs), and for Manchin's push for some "means testing," cut free college and daycare etc. to people earning from $400 K to $300 K. That does everything Manchin wants but also gives the programs that progressives want but just means renew in five years. That should sell to Manchin/Sinema.

On the other key gridlocked legislation, voting rights, leaders Hoyer and Clyburn could point out to Sen. Manchin that he could feel the guilt trip of his life if his role in history were to block on absolute necessity of the voting bill to stop voter suppression, and promise him nomination to The Profiles in Courage Award, and amazing coverage in all world media and assure his place in history, if he does move the bill. That includes tweaking the filibuster with a voting rights carve-out, which does appear necessary for passage.

Manchin has proposed the dollar figure for the human programs of $1-2 trillion in various interviews, and asked for some means testing so the ultra-wealthy do not unnecessarily receive benefits "they do not need." On voting rights, he has said he could improve the filibuster to be real, not just the phone-in it now is.

President Biden has asked Democrats to come up with a plan and get back to him. Speaker Pelosi at her September 23rd press briefing said the issue is "priorities, not dollars," but all the debate is over the top-line dollar figure. This proposal would solve both issues, priorities and dollars, and it's the way Congress has solved dollar debates for decades. John King said on CNN, "The main thing is a final number, " and "divide it out." Today's Pelosi-Schumer "pay-for" outline is only part of the solution. Bernie Sanders told the media Wednesday, "We will come up with an agreement." .House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer added, "I think the moderate wing is supportive."

Long-time Republican strategist Norm Ornstein told MSNBC that he believes, "some version of cut the years and provide the programs," would devise the ultimate outcome.

Following his White House and Congress years, Weiner directs an op-ed writing group recruiting young journalist co-authors that has published over 1,000 articles in major papers and won the National Press Club President's Award for the program. Ben Lasky is senior policy analyst at Solutions for Change.

Rate It | View Ratings

Robert Weiner Social Media Pages: Facebook page url on login Profile not filled in       Twitter page url on login Profile not filled in       Linkedin page url on login Profile not filled in       Instagram page url on login Profile not filled in

Robert Weiner, NATIONAL PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND ISSUES STRATEGIST Bob Weiner, a national issues and public affairs strategist, has been spokesman for and directed the public affairs offices of White House Drug Czar and Four Star General Barry (more...)
 

Go To Commenting
The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Follow Me on Twitter     Writers Guidelines

 
Contact AuthorContact Author Contact EditorContact Editor Author PageView Authors' Articles
Support OpEdNews

OpEdNews depends upon can't survive without your help.

If you value this article and the work of OpEdNews, please either Donate or Purchase a premium membership.

STAY IN THE KNOW
If you've enjoyed this, sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter to get lots of great progressive content.
Daily Weekly     OpEd News Newsletter
Name
Email
   (Opens new browser window)
 

Most Popular Articles by this Author:     (View All Most Popular Articles by this Author)

Why Do Conservatives Vote Against Their Own Interest?

Jeb Bush's Elephant in the Room: Role in Bush v. Gore Recount

Mueller's End Game: Maybe As Soon As Trump Wants, But Not How He'd Like

Food Stamp Myth Busting

Iran: Nuclear Weapons or Peaceful Energy?

Bad money vs. bad money -- how Denver ballot measure could be blueprint for getting money out of politics

To View Comments or Join the Conversation:

Tell A Friend