Manchin will get last word, even as House races to pass megabill

Manchin and the parliamentarian are not the only ones who might want a say in the final product, which could result in protracted negotiations with the House.

“I wouldn’t be surprised at all if, between the parliamentarian and Joe’s concerns … whatever the House sends will have to be modified at least a little,” said Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii). “It will not be enacted as is. Everybody needs to sit with that and get comfortable with it.”

Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) added that he’ll be “surprised if it doesn’t change.”

“If they send over a bill that has some challenges in it for rural America, then they’re going to have to take it back and work it over,” Tester said.