The Hill reports that Manchin said Tuesday that he will vote in favor of advancing a sweeping election bill, after striking a deal with Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) on a compromise proposal.
"We worked it out," Schumer told reporters.
In exchange for voting "yes" on Tuesday, Schumer said that if Democrats are able to advance to floor debate on the bill -- something they won't be able to do because of across-the-board Republican opposition -- he will give Manchin a vote on his proposal as an amendment.
“Over the past month, I have worked to eliminate the far reaching provisions of S.1, the For the People Act – which I do not support. I’ve found common ground with my Democratic colleagues on a new version of the bill that ensures our elections are fair, accessible and secure," Manchin said in a statement.
"Today I will vote ‘YES’ to move to debate this updated voting legislation as a substitute amendment to ensure every eligible voter is able to cast their ballot and participate in our great democracy," he added.
Under the deal, Manchin will provide the 50th Democratic vote on advancing the For the People Act later Tuesday.
However, the vote - expected later Tuesday evening - is still expected to fall well short of the 60 votes required to move ahead as the GOP seems just as united to vote against the "reforms".
