Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., told ‘Fox News Sunday” that there is no way he can support Biden’s Build Back Better Act.
Manchin said that he has spoken to President Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, but has not been able to reach an agreement.
“If I can’t go home and explain to the people of West Virginia, I can’t vote for it,” he said Sunday.
“And I cannot vote to continue with this piece of legislation. I just can’t. I’ve tried everything humanly possible. I can’t get there. This is a no on this legislation. I have tried everything I know to do,” he added.
Manchin explained that other worries made his decision final and his “concerns have only increased as the pandemic surges on, inflation rises and geopolitical uncertainty increases around the world”.
The senator called the bill a “mammoth piece of legislation” and said it was just too big to be voted on they way it is.
Sine Manchin’s position will prevent Democrats from passing the bill, many have taken to criticizing him.
Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley said “all I want for Christmas is a senator that has compassion for the American people and not contempt” and accused Manchin of “torpedoing [the Democrats’] opportunity to advance unprecedented advancements”.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki issued a statement Sunday saying “Senator Manchin’s comments this morning on FOX are at odds with his discussions this week with the President, with White House staff, and with his own public utterances”.
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., tweeted “Let’s be clear: Manchin’s excuse is bull****”. On MSNBC she said “I really am just completely disappointed and disgusted by his reasoning”.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., has also criticized Manchin’s decision, saying “But if he doesn’t have the courage to do the right thing for the working families of West Virginia and America, let him vote no in front of the whole world”.