Only Manchin knows, but I suspect he's doing it for Manchin and his survival in the swamp. Job security, lobbying or campaign contributions, a pivot to the right, only he knows. Other suspects include McConnell et.al
"No pay for those who abandon their responsibilities," tweets governor who let hundreds freeze to death. Abbott Announces Retaliatory Veto After TX Dems Stage Walkout On Restrictive Voting Bill https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/greg-abbott-texas-voting-bill-walkout Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced that he will veto the part of the state budget that funds the legislature, seeming retaliation for Texas Democrats’ walkout late Sunday that let them at least temporarily kill Republicans’ voting overhaul. “No pay for those who abandon their responsibilities,” Abbott tweeted. Democratic lawmakers slowly trickled out as the last day of the session inched towards midnight, all the remaining ones leaving around 10:30 p.m. local time, according to the Texas Tribune. They congregated at a nearby Baptist church, successfully running out the clock as their absence deprived the House of having the quorum needed to vote. Abbott has called for the legislation to be passed in a special session. (More at above url)
The gall of the guy thinking he can withhold the salary of a co-equal branch of government. Full fascist.
Democrats who don't get their way seem to run and hide,cowards The Wisconsin Senate has passed a resolution ordering the arrest of the 14 Democrats who fled for Illinois to prevent a vote on a union rights bill from taking place.
Don't hold your breath. A resolution is a toothless grand standing exercise. Makes for headlines though. They'd have to pass statutory law to do this and that would require Democrat participation and would undoubtedly be immediately challenged in Court as it would violate the State Constitution. They might pass a bill redefining a quorum assuming a quorum is not defined in the State's Constitution, which it probably is, but regardless they'd need Democrats to get it passed. The Republicans best tactic is to stop behaving like morons. "In an open letter to the Senate, Madison attorneys Lester Pines and Susan Crawford said "none of the fourteen absent Senators has been charged with a crime. Nor has any crime occurred. The Wisconsin Senate has absolutely no authority to order any of its members arrested or taken into custody in order to compel their attendance."
Seems like Texas Democrats may be finally learning from Moscow Mitch that they too can play the disruption game.
Isn't Manchin quite wealthy. I doubt he needs a job. So it's a little hard to explain. Perhaps he doesn't want to welch on deals he's made and doesn't understand the danger the nation is in right now.