A possibly fatal blow to President Joe Biden’s hallmark measure came Sunday when Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin indicated he would not support a $2 trillion social safety net bill.
During an appearance on “Fox News Sunday,” Manchin stated that he has always had qualms about the proposal and that now, after five and a half months of discussions and negotiations, “I cannot vote to continue with this piece of legislation.”
There are a variety of reasons impacting the economy and the possible harm that he believes would result from passing the “mammoth” bill, according to the West Virginia senator.
These include ongoing inflation, rising debt, and the latest threat posed by the omicron variation.
As he explained, “When these things come at you like they are right now, I’ve always said this… if I can’t go home and explain it to the people of West Virginia, I’m not going to vote for it.”
“I did everything humanly necessary to try to help.” “I’m not up to it,” he said. “I’m voting nay on this piece of legislation. “I have attempted everything that I am aware of.”
Following Manchin’s uncompromising resistance to Biden’s comprehensive domestic policy package last week, the vice president all but admitted that negotiations over the package would likely go into next year.
The president, on the other hand, insisted that Manchin restate his support for a framework for the flagship bill that had been agreed upon by the senator, the White House, and other Democratic senators.
On Sunday, Manchin made it clear that Biden’s words were not his own, and that he did not agree with them.
