Sinema Reportedly Wants $100 Billion Cut From Climate Change Programs

On Friday, The New York Times reported that Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Arizona) is asking for a cut of $100 billion from the climate programs in the spending bill being debated by Democrats in Congress. The position surprised many since the senator initially started her political career as a Green Party candidate and has been vocal about global warming issues.

Sinema is one of two moderate Democrats currently causing a deadlock in Capitol Hill by repeatedly declining to support the Biden administration’s sweeping Build Back Better legislation.

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia) has also vowed not to vote for a bill that costs more than $1.5 trillion.

Sinema’s office denied the Times report about her asking for a $100 billion deduction in climate programs.

“Neither Senator Sinema nor our office have requested or demanded such cuts, nor have we ever heard of any such demands,” John LaBombard, a spokesperson for Sinema, tweeted. “Once again, the NY Times relies on anonymous sources and gets it flat wrong. Do better.”

Despite all the blowback that Sinema and Manchin are receiving from their party, Democrats need their votes. In a 50-50 Senate, the Democrats can’t lose a single vote from their side if they want to pass a bill through budget reconciliation.

Article by Dongyoon Shin