Manchin and Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema are the only two Democratic holdouts against the infrastructure bill, a centerpiece of the Biden administration. Manchin has said that he would settle on a $1.5 trillion price tag for his party’s plan, but this is still well short of the lowest number progressive Democrats want. With no GOP backing, it requires all 50 Democrats in the upper house to get it through the reconciliation process....

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) had set a goal of Christmas for passing the 10-year, roughly $1.75 trillion measures, which included expanding Medicare, providing universal Pre-K, and funding initiatives tackling climate change. But after months of infighting and the bill’s price tag already slashed to accommodate Manchin, Biden has hinted that its passage may not be celebrated at the festive time of year. Because it needs the backing of every one of the 50 lawmakers who vote for the Democrats to pass via the reconciliation process without GOP support, the opposition of the West Virginia lawmaker could upend the will of everyone who caucuses for his party....

On Monday, Manchin joined a private Zoom call hosted by No Labels, an operation that combats partisan dysfunction and funnels donor money to conservative Democrats and moderate Republicans, to discuss the filibuster, infrastructure negotiations and the failed efforts to create a January 6 commission. In remarks obtained by The Intercept, Manchin said he would consider lowering the threshold to beat the filibuster or forcing the minority to show up on the Senate floor in large enough numbers to maintain a filibutser....

Speaking to CNN last night, the Democratic senator for West Virginia said he had told the president about his position “straight up” and claimed Biden was fully aware that he was first and foremost “fighting to defend” the rule, which says proposals in a budget reconciliation bill must have a direct impact on the budget. The Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, a non-partisan official who advises senators on procedure, has considerable power to interpret which policies comply with the Byrd Rule....

Simpson voiced skepticism Tuesday while commenting on Soto’s physique during Game 1 of the Braves-Nats doubleheader in Washington. SN’S MLB POWER RANKINGS: Braves, Nats close together The Nationals list Soto as being born Oct. 25, 1998, and his height and weight are set at 6-1, 185. Simpson’s cynicism likely stems from the fact that foreign players in the past, especially players from the Dominican Republic, have taken years off their age (by altering birth certificates) to look more appealing to major league organizations....

The legendary quarterback was on his way to Monaco for a golf tournament when he heard Taylor’s barb, and was quick to come up with a burn of his own. MORE: Brutal injuries that ended athletes’ careers “It’s just a shame that that’s the only thing he’s famous for, is breaking my leg," Theismann told USA Today. Taylor, a former New York Giants linebacker, infamously ended Theismann’s career in 1985 when his sack resulted in Theismann breaking two bones in his right leg....

Through some social media research it was determined Durant had a side Instagram account with the name “quiresultan.” On this account he was seen defending Durant (himself) from commenters. MORE: Kevin Durant uses shoes to respond to haters Needless to say, this story gained a lot of attention in the NBA world, and now we have the King of Social Media himself (Joel Embiid) responding to the story. The 76ers big man sent a tweet late Monday that perfectly mocked the whole Durant situation, and in case there was any doubt, he even tagged the name of the fake Instagram account....

The 76ers star suffered a right thumb injury in the middle of Philadelphia’s first-round series against Toronto, but he continued playing through the pain. Then, in the Sixers’ Game 6 win, he took a hard shot to his head, resulting in an orbital fracture and mild concussion. What is Embiid’s status? Here are the latest updates on the MVP candidate ahead of Philadelphia’s second-round matchup with Miami. MORE: 76ers vs....

The bard, played by Joey Batey, and mage, played by Anya Chalotra, appeared to hate each other, or at the very least, found the other frustrating in every possible way. But Season 2 of the fantasy series sees something unexpected happen: Jaskier and Yennefer become friends. WARNING: This article contains minor spoilers for The Witcher Season 2 The pair bond after Yennefer runs away with villain Cahir (Eamon Farren) and tries to get to Nilfgaard, a journey they can only do with the Jaskier’s aid as he has begun helping elves traverse The Continent safely under the guise of The Sandpiper....

The team announced that Bosa, the No. 3 overall pick from Ohio State in the 2016 NFL draft has signed his four-year rookie contract “We look forward to having Joey join us and getting him prepared as quickly as possible for the 2016 season,” general manager Tom Telesco said in a statement. Even though Bosa’s f ully guaranteed money and initial signing bonus had little wiggle room in between the contracts of No....

This is what Joey Logano’s success on the track has gotten him. But the young driver isn’t letting outside influences affect his performance in the Chase. In fact, he relishes the backlash. MORE: A look at the final eight | Kyle Busch: Jeff Gordon won’t go out on top “It is OK. It’s the ultimate compliment in motorsports,” Logano said during media availability Tuesday. “But, if you don’t like me, I don’t care....

Calipari’s Wildcats are in the Final Four for the second straight year, attempting to put the finishing touches on the first undefeated season in 39 years. They’ve been ranked No. 1 all year and have been a unanimous choice in 12 of the 17 weeks in the regular season. Kentucky broke the NCAA record for wins in a reason with their 38th victory last weekend. MORE: Calipari named SN Coach of the Year | Ranking the Final Four starters | 10 best championship teams...

The story begins late Tuesday when the scream icon took to Twitter to share his pleasure for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, the latest in the long-running Ubisoft franchise. “ASSASSIN’S CREED VALHALLA is a return to excellence in the franchise. Massive open world, beautifully designed, with great gameplay. Incredible game,” Carpenter wrote. What followed were messages and retweets of users shocked that the 72-year-old plays games. “I didn’t know John Carpenter is a gamer....

Tebowmania had grown to insane levels the season before, with the mobile quarterback winning a playoff game for Denver. But Elway knew Tebow wasn’t the answer at quarterback, and he aimed to get someone who could get them to the promised land. But in doing so, he knew it had to be someone talented enough that fans would not riot in protest. MORE: Doubt Elway and he’ll keep proving you wrong “Because (Tim) Tebow had such a fan base behind him — there was probably only one guy that we could have replaced him with that people would understand,” Elway said in a feature with the Denver Post....

Fetterman has served as Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor since 2019. Before that, he was the mayor of Braddock. Oz is a physician and popular TV personality who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump. The two candidates are seeking to fill the seat held by Republican Senator Pat Toomey, who voted to impeach Trump and is retiring after his current term. Notably, Oz’s support from Trump drew substantial backlash from many Pennsylvania Republicans as well as prominent allies of the former president....

Numerous people spoke at a celebration of Lewis’ life at the Trojan Arena at Troy University that morning, including his siblings Ethel Mae Tyner, Rosa Mae Tyner and Henry, Samuel and Freddie Lewis, to celebrate the congressman’s life, according to CBS News. Lewis died on July 17 at the age of 80. Rosa Mae Tyner spoke about some of the ideas that Lewis lived by and have been echoed many times in the days since his death....

On “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,” the host who went in on FIFA prior to the 2014 World Cup came back with Part II of his campaign against Blatter and the global soccer organization. MORE: Sepp Blatter ripped to shreds | Watch Oliver’s classic FIFA rant | Blatter resigns as FIFA president If you’ve been keeping up with the news, none of it will be new to you: Jack Warner’s citation of an article from The Onion defending himself, migrant worker deaths and artificial turf at the upcoming Women’s World Cup all make the hit list of topics....

After Wednesday night, if they're still around, they should probably keep their mouths shut. Scott, the 6-8, theoretical winger for the Buffalo Sabres, elbowed Loui Eriksson of the Boston Bruins in the face long after Eriksson had released the puck. He should be suspended for a very, very long time, and almost certainly will be. (H/T SB Nation) Scott was ejected, and Eriksson was injured. The Bruins, not coincidentally, were winning 5-2 at the time, and the Sabres' season is as good as over already....

The Baseball Hall of Famer posted a 15-over-par 85 on Thursday in the first round of the U.S. Senior Open at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo. BRZEZINSKI: USGA still struggling to rediscover identity after Shinnecock Afterward, Smoltz admitted the course had beaten him. “I’m just being honest,” Smoltz told reporters, per The Associated Press. “I don’t have enough game for this course yet.” Smoltz was playing under typically onerous U....

According to an incident report by the Avon Police Department, an officer “was dispatched to the area of (Interstate) 90 westbound for the report of a white Nissan traveling at high rate of speed with a female passenger tying to exit the vehicle and the male driver puling her back inside.” MORE: Classic photos of Johnny Manziel | Manziel shocked by murder allegations against ex-A&M teammate According to the police report obtained by WEWS, Manziel and his girlfriend, Colleen Crowley, admitted to drinking earlier in the day in Cleveland and having an argument in which Crowley threw a wallet out a car window....