Manchin's closing thoughts

• The IRA's primary architect has made no secret of his displeasure with the Biden administration's implementation of tax credits for EVs and hydrogen. 

Driving the news: "President Trump has a golden opportunity to come in and create the Energy Security Act of 2025," Manchin told Axios during a winding chat outside the Senate chamber. 

• "Look at what works. Look at what [the Biden administration] overreached on. Look at what's not working. An awful lot of money can be saved in there, but a lot of good's already done."
• Manchin also reiterated a point he's made publicly: He'd never have agreed to do the reconciliation bill that became the IRA if not for Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
• At the time, he argued, "If we don't do something with energy in this country to produce what this country needs and help our allies, it's like looking for love in all the wrong places." (Yes, that's a Johnny Lee reference).

Between the lines: Manchin still considers the IRA a good law that "has done exactly what it was supposed to do." 

• But he's also urged people to sue over the Biden administration's implementing guidance if they can show damages: "My staff will do an amicus brief for you. You'll win every one of them."

Yes, but: Manchin doesn't think Republicans will succeed at enacting permitting legislation via reconciliation next Congress after last week's implosion of talks.

• After all, he tried during the IRA. That's what led to his efforts during the 117th Congress and some of the ideas that became Manchin-Barrasso.
• He said Republicans will ultimately have to address transmission if they want to get something done: "They're going to have to, unless they want to blow the Senate up."

Zoom in: Love him or hate him, Manchin has been an unusually effective legislator.

• He was at the center of every energy policy deal that's been struck on energy policy over the past four years — the Energy Act of 2020, the IIJA and, most famously, the IRA.
• Directly before this interview, Manchin had just come off the floor from passing the America's Outdoor Recreation Act by unanimous consent, sending the sprawling federal land bill to President Biden's desk.

• He said he hopes Sens. Mike Lee and Martin Heinrich follow the bipartisan tradition that has long defined ENR.

The big picture: Manchin talks a lot about the decline of bipartisanship and his concern about the Senate's future as an institution.

• He disdains the GOP House rule change that led to the ousting of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy and the ensuing chaos.
• "This will go down — the 118th Congress — as the worst performing Congress in the history of the United States of America because of that rule change."

What's next: Manchin doesn't have any plans to continue in political life — for now.

• "This is the first time in 40 years I can set my own schedule," he said
• While he came somewhat close to running for president, Manchin said he didn't want to be sitting around in the Senate in his 80s (he's 77 now).
• "I've been blessed with good health. I still have some of the mental faculties, and I want to enjoy that a little bit."