On Tuesday, Senator Joe Manchin said he’s asking American companies to take legal action against the Treasury Department. They’re upset about the rules the Treasury made for getting clean energy tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act.
Manchin talked to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen during a meeting of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He said the rules were hurting American manufacturers because they were changed from what the law originally said.
He even said, “I’m encouraging every manufacturer to sue you, and I will do the amicus brief on (their) behalf …. and you’ll lose every suit.” He showed posters comparing the rules in the law with the ones Treasury made.
Manchin doesn’t always agree with President Biden’s plans. Last week, he left the Democratic Party and became an independent. He thinks both parties are too extreme.
He’s especially upset about how the Treasury Department is handling the IRA. He thinks their rules aren’t what the law meant, and they’re making it hard for American companies.
He said earlier that one of Treasury’s rules, which lets car companies keep using parts from China for another year, is breaking the law.
Manchin and another senator, Kyrsten Sinema from Arizona, are important votes for President Biden’s plans. They helped pass a big infrastructure bill.
Manchin said the IRA was supposed to make sure the United States didn’t rely too much on things from China. But because of Treasury’s rules, China will still be in the market.
Yellen, the Treasury Secretary, said the Biden administration understands Manchin’s worries about China. She said they’re ready to talk with him about it.
