Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) wants Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) to allow a vote on a package of Obamacare tweaks unveiled Thursday.
“Well, we’d like to [vote on the proposals],” Manchin told TPM in the Capitol. “I think they’re very good for everybody concerned. And we see all the adjustments they’re making — and that’s fine, we’ve said adjustments need to be made.”
The package of “fixes” is aimed at responding to criticisms since the law’s rollout. It was unveiled by Manchin and Sens. Heidi Heitkamp (ND), Mary Landrieu (LA), Mark Begich (AK), Mark Warner (VA) and Angus King (I-ME). Landrieu, Begich and Warner are up for reelection this year.
When TPM asked Manchin if he felt more optimistic about Obamacare lately, as enrollment has picked up, he was circumspect.
“Well, when you say optimistic, you know, I’ve always said we need to repair it,” the senator said. “And that’s what we’re trying to do.”
It’s unclear if he’ll get a vote. Reid has been reluctant to bring up legislative changes to Obamacare, and President Barack Obama has largely relied on executive power to address problems caused by the law.
