Manchin rebuffs progressives, wavers on backing Biden’s $1.75T plan
WASHINGTON — Sen. Joe Manchin wavered Monday on his support for President Joe Biden’s sweeping $1.75 trillion domestic policy proposal, saying instead it’s “time to vote” on a slimmer $1 trillion infrastructure package that has stalled amid negotiations.
The senator’s announcement comes as Democrats want a signal from Manchin that he will support Biden’s plan. Manchin, D-W.Va., is one of two key holdout senators whose votes are needed to secure the deal and push it toward passage.
Instead, Manchin rebuffed progressive Democrats, urging them to quit holding “hostage” the smaller public works bill as negotiations continue on the broader package.
“Enough is enough,” Manchin said at a hastily called news conference at the Capitol.
Manchin said he’s open to voting for a final bill reflecting Biden’s big package “that moves our country forward.” But he said he’s “equally open to voting against” the final product as he assesses the sweeping social services and climate change bill.
Democrats have been working frantically to finish Biden’s signature domestic package after months of negotiations, racing toward a first round of House votes possible this week.
The White House swiftly responded that it remains confident Manchin will support Biden’s plan.
“Senator Manchin says he is prepared to support a Build Back Better plan that combats inflation, is fiscally responsible, and will create jobs,” said press secretary Jen Psaki in a statement. “As a result, we remain confident that the plan will gain Senator Manchin’s support.”
The stakes are high with Biden overseas at a global climate change summit and his party fighting in two key governors’ races this week — in Virginia and New Jersey — that are seen as bellwethers in the political mood of the electorate.
With Republicans opposed and no votes to spare, Democrats have been trying to unite progressive and centrist lawmakers around Biden’s big vision.
Progressives have been refusing to vote on the smaller public works bill, using it as leverage as they try to win commitments from Manchin and Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, the other key holdout, for Biden’s broader bill.
Manchin, though, said he will “not support a bill that is this consequential without thoroughly understanding the impact” it has on the economy and federal debt.