Manchin wants to get what’s known in the Capitol as a “framework” as soon as this week to reform the 135-year-old law that allies of Donald Trump seized on in their bid to undercut the former president’s 2020 loss. The West Virginia centrist, often knocked by fellow Democrats as an impediment to progress, has plenty of willing Republican partners in that effort — they just see Manchin’s timeline as too ambitious.

“Take a look at the length of time for the bipartisan infrastructure bill. Everybody thinks it’s going to get done in a week or two. But that took months,” said Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.). “We’re still weeks into a process of discovery and scoping. So, it wouldn’t surprise me if we’re looking at a May, June timeframe before we have a consensus work product.”…

What’s more, Republicans are already grousing that Democrats are trying to shoehorn in changes not directly related to the Electoral Count Act.

A GOP aide familiar with the talks said that “Democrats keep trying to push the envelope and talk about challenging state election laws in federal courts” by establishing a new formal pathway to bring those suits. The aide said that dynamic could prevent the bill from getting the 60 votes it needs to advance.