Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
- Joe Manchin said he and Kyrsten Sinema have been "talking" about the Inflation Reduction Act.
- Manchin said he had a "nice conversation" with Sinema and that they exchanged papers on the matter.
- "And she'll look at all of this and make her own decision," Manchin said.
Sen. Joe Manchin said he and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema have been "talking" about the Inflation Reduction Act and that she would lawmaker eventually make her own decision on the piece of legislation.
Manchin described the pair's discussion during a Wednesday appearance on MSNBC.
"We did have a nice conversation and exchanged papers back and forth to make sure we understand everything, and she understands where we're coming from," he said.
Manchin also described Sinema — the lone Democrat who has yet to vote on the bill — as "a friend" who has "always done her due diligence."
"And she'll look at all of this and make her own decision. So hopefully — there's a lot of good things in there, and she's working very hard over the past on a lot of the issues that we're talking about," Manchin said.
"So, we'll just have to see how it goes, but we're talking," he added.
During the show, Manchin was also asked by host Stephanie Ruhle about what he would do and who he in the GOP he would appeal to if Sinema didn't vote in support of the bill.
"I talk to them — they're all my friends, from day one," Manchin said.
However, when pressed by Ruhle on the issue, Manchin admitted that he wouldn't be able to change his GOP colleagues' minds.
"I cannot get their vote because they won't change a penny of the tax code," Manchin said, referring to how Republicans would not budge on the issue of corporate taxes. "I can't convince them to change that."
Manchin has been pushing for the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, after cutting a surprise deal with Sen. Chuck Schumer in late July that allots, among other things, $370 billion for climate and energy programs and commits the US to a 40% emissions reduction by 2030.
Republicans like Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell have vociferously objected to the bill and the GOP is now counting on Sinema to reject it.
Before the $790 billion legislation passes in the Senate, Manchin and Sinema would likely have to hash out her objections to the closing of a tax loophole for rich Americans. Sinema is known to have disagreed with efforts to eliminate carried interest, which is the basis for the loophole.
Manchin said this week that he would pitch Sinema on the legislation to get her make-or-break vote. He was seen on August 3 literally taking a knee and crouching in front of Sinema's desk to speak to her on the Senate floor.
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