The Senate Democrats and Republicans scramble on President Biden’s massive $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill and there are fears of break in ranks of the Democratic Party. 

Democrats are fearing that Senator Joe Manchin, who is considered to be a more conservative Democrat, may side with Republicans on the new benefits deal, CNN reported. 

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The new deal on jobless benefits would extend it till September with $300 per week with a provision that ensures that the first $10,200 of benefits would be tax-free, reports CNN.  

The deal needs 51 votes in the Senate to amend the bill with the new proposal. Sen. Manchin is a key vote which may make or break the passing of the amendment. If he ends up voting no, the amendment is likely to fail. 

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As per a Senator, Manchin does not support the $10,200 in tax-free benefits, yet. He is known to be supportive of GOP Sen. Rob Portman’s idea of $300 per week through July, who will be proposing the amendment today. 

Republicans are urging their colleagues to support Sen. Rob’s amendment saying that this could pare back the new jobless deal. and slump Democrat efforts to pass the COVID relief bill quickly. 

Sen. Manchin has expressed his inclination towards voting for Sen. Rob’s deal but is currently facing immense pressure from his Democrat colleagues.  

A Democrat senator said, “I think that would be a real problem,” on Manchin voting for the Republican counter of the jobless deal.  

A number of Democrats were seen huddled around Manchin on the Senate floor as the two sides were lobbying to move ahead on the jobless benefits amendment, reported CNN. 

Millions of Americans are set to lose unemployment benefits on March 14 as the previous bill expires. President Biden said on Friday, “Our economy still has 9.5 million fewer jobs that had this time last year — at that rate, it would take three years to get us back on track.” 

Reiterating the importance of the COVID relief package, Biden further told reporters, “the Rescue Plan is absolutely essential for turning this around getting kids back to school safely, getting a lifeline to small businesses, and getting the upper hand on COVID-19.”