Peril

by Bob Woodward

Biden called Joe Manchin around 1 p.m. Manchin was in his hideaway with his chief of staff Lance West. “Joe,” Biden said, “you wanted the unemployment smaller. We did that. You wanted certain dates” for the supplemental unemployment benefit. “We addressed that. You wanted checks targeted. We did that. You know, this is basically it. You need to come along.” Manchin corrected Biden. He said additional unemployment checks, though smaller, went for a longer time into the fall. People would be paid for not working for an extended period. And then he voiced frustration about this new $10,200 tax credit, which he had just learned about. Someone who was not working was going to get an additional tax break, while someone who worked would not get it. “Joe,” Biden said, “if you don’t come along, you’re really fucking me. I need you on this. Find your way to yes on this.” “I don’t know, I promised Rob Portman,” Manchin said. He said he was talking to economists. They were telling him the economy would take off like a rocket. Mr. President, we need people ready to go back to work no later than July. Mr. President, you have said that we will have vaccines available to all citizens in our country who want it by May. I can’t lose this bill, Biden said. His voice was insistent, flecked with irritation. You’re going to make me lose my bill, Biden said. “You have to trust me,” Manchin said. “You will not.” He said his intention was not to kill the bill, only to get some parts removed. He wa...

selfish