(NewsGlobal.com)- Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), a pivotal vote for Democrats in the Senate’s 50-50 split, said on Monday that he would vote against President Joe Biden’s nomination of Daniel Werfel to lead the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Many in Washington were caught off guard by Manchin opposing Werfel’s selection since the confirmation vote will likely occur later tonight. On Wednesday, the Senator issued a statement explaining his objection to Werfel’s nomination and how it has nothing to do with Werfel’s skills or ability.
Manchin said Werfel was supremely qualified to serve as the IRS Commissioner, but the West Virginia senator was skeptical that Werfel would be granted the independence he needed to execute his job. He said explicitly that his decision was motivated by his belief that the Treasury Department had ignored the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) during the Biden administration.
The senator said the Biden Administration had violated Congressional intent at every stage in implementing the Inflation Reduction Act. The Treasury Department has pandered to automakers and progressive extremist organizations and continues to compromise national security in the United States of America rather than sticking to Legislative purposes and prioritizing our nation’s energy and national security.
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2021 encouraged the development of domestic energy resources to lower inflation and bolster energy security. It contains measures obligating the Treasury Department to emphasize the onshoring of supply and manufacturing networks, notably in the energy industry.
Several Republicans and conservative organizations have accused the Biden administration of being uncommitted to the IRA’s aims. The fact that Manchin is against Werfel’s nomination is likely to add fuel to the fire of these critics and might make it harder for the Biden administration to have its choices approved by the Senate.
Werfel is a partner at thManchin’s choice may affect e private consulting company Boston Consulting Group. He has worked for over a decade and briefly served as acting IRS commissioner under the Obama administration.
