On Sunday night, Fox News host Bret Baier confronted Senator Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.) over accusations that he had broken his word to not support legislation that would boost inflation.
What are the specifics?
Manchin was confronted by Baier during an interview on “Fox News Sunday,” with the senator’s own words, highlighting how the so-called “Inflation Reduction Act” goes against his past statements.
“During a time of recession, I don’t think you should adjust any taxes,” Manchin said in 2010. Last month, Manchin reiterated those sentiments.
“Now technically,” Baier explained to Manchin, “we’re in a recession, and according to numerous different groups, this bill will raise taxes. According to Tax Foundation research and Americans for Tax Reform, it does.”
In response, Manchin claimed that the bill does not raise taxes and that it only closes tax loopholes. In reality, Manchin directly refuted any claims that the legislation raises new taxes or causes prices to rise.
“They’re wrong; it does not increase taxes,” Manchin claimed.
Baier reminded Manchin that he previously stated in March that the America Rescue Plan would not burn out the economy and result in a greater inflation crisis. That is precisely what occurred, however.
Baier asked, “Why should Americans trust you now when you claim that this bill will not make inflation worse?”
“I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again,” Manchin assured. “In the end, I’ll make certain I don’t make that mistake again… That’s why I’m being extra cautious right now.”
That’s when Baier challenged Manchin with a study from the Penn Wharton Budget Model, which predicted that the bill “would very slightly boost inflation until 2024 and lower inflation thereafter.”
The analysis also found that the researchers’ “estimates are statistically indistinguishable from zero, implying low confidence that the bill will have an impact on prices,” according to its conclusion.
“I respectfully disagree with the conclusion, but I’ll leave it there,” Manchin said.
