Democratic frustration with Sinema rises
By Alexander Bolton - 10/22/21 06:00 AM EDT
Democratic lawmakers are growing increasingly exasperated with maverick Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) over her opposition to two key proposals to pay for a budget reconciliation package: raising corporate tax rates and lowering the cost of prescription drugs.
Democratic negotiators now say they will miss a target of completing a framework agreement on a massive budget reconciliation package in large part because Sinema is throwing up a roadblock to raising corporate tax rates.
Another significant problem is that Sinema is opposed to empowering Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices, according to senators briefed on the talks.
Senate Budget Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), one of the principal negotiators, on Thursday vented his frustration over Sinema’s opposition to raising corporate taxes and using the government’s huge negotiating power to push down drug prices.
Asked about Sinema’s opposition to raising corporate taxes — a central piece of President Biden’s tax reform agenda — Sanders told reporters: “I am very surprised that anybody would put themselves in that position.”
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https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/577896-democrats-frustration-with-sinema-runs-high-amid-infrastructure-hold-ups
