Manchin: I'll block Biden's next big package if Republicans aren't included (no more reconciliation)

[Tom Rinaldo]

10. Taken at his word, his fall back possible compromise positions are obvious

What he clearly is resisting is being the 50th vote that allows VP Harris to be the tie breaker in a 100% partisan vote, like what happened with Covid relief. Current filibuster rules mean that the alternative to reconciliation requires 60 Senators in favor (hence 10 Republican ayes) One option would be to make rule changes to the filibuster that make it harder for Republicans to obstruct through its usage. Several such changes have been floated and Manchin has left himself open to possibly backing such an effort. The other "compromise" would be for Manchin to allow use of the reconciliation process AFTER extensive good faith (but ultimately unsuccessful) efforts are made to pass bi-partisan legislation, assuming that at least one Republican Senator then votes with the Democratic majority through the reconciliation process, making that vote technically bi-partisan.

I will note that with infrastructure funding (as opposed to other measures like voting rights) Congressional tradition has been to craft bi-partisan legislation, as infrastructure spending has traditionally been among the least partisan activities that Congress engages in.