Manchin Says Spending Bill Framework Could Come This Week

West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin told reporters on Monday that a framework for Democrats’ social and climate spending bill “really should be” finished this week. “Having it finished with all the t's and the i's and everything you know crossed and dotted, that will be difficult from the Senate side because we have an awful lot of text to go through. But as far as conceptually we should. I really believe that. I think a framework should be, it really should be,” Manchin said. President Joe Biden expressed a similar sentiment on Monday, saying that “it’d be very, very positive to get it done before” next week's COP26 climate change summit. The statements come a day after Manchin met with Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in Delaware on Sunday. Democrats are still negotiating a few key issues, including proposals to guarantee paid family leave, expand Medicare and tax billionaires. 

Coverage of the ongoing negotiations was widespread across the spectrum on Monday. Coverage in left- and center-rated outlets was more likely to focus primarily on Manchin’s comments.