Manchin says ‘no’ to Biden’s ‘Build Back Better’ package
A critical Senate vote on President Biden’s “Build Back Better” legislation said on Sunday he will not back the sweeping package of social and climate spending, potentially dooming a top priority for Democrats as they head into an election year.
All eyes have been on Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia as the moderate Dem has for months voiced opposition to the steep price tag and energy-policy components of the roughly $2 trillion legislation, known as BBB.
“This is a mammoth piece of legislation, and I have had my reservations from the beginning when they heard about it a five and half months ago and I’ve been working diligently every day, every minute of every day, I’ve been working on this,” Manchin told “Fox News Sunday.”
“I’ve tried everything humanly possible. I can’t get there,” he said. “This is a no on this legislation.”
Manchin cited rising inflation, the national debt and even “geopolitical unrest” as his reasons.
Progressive Democrats had demanded a vote on the bill — which includes billions of dollars for universal preschool, expanded health care access, clean-energy incentives and more — in exchange for supporting a roughly $1 trillion infrastructure package earlier this year. Republicans helped pass the smaller package but are unanimously opposed to BBB.
Earlier this month, some Democratic leaders were still saying a vote on BBB was possible by Christmas.
But with Manchin’s opposition in the evenly divided Senate, the next steps for Biden and progressive Democrats are uncertain.
Manchin refused to take a last-minute call from White House staff before going on Fox to break the news, according to Politico. The White House laid the snark on thick as it said it hasn’t given up on Manchin yet.
“Senator Manchin promised to continue conversations in the days ahead, and to work with us to reach that common ground,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement. “If his comments on Fox and written statement indicate an end to that effort, they represent a sudden and inexplicable reversal in his position.
“Just as Senator Manchin reversed his position on ‘Build Back Better’ this morning, we will continue to press him to see if he will reverse his position yet again, to honor his prior commitments and be true to his word,” she added.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who has participated in sensitive talks between the White House and Manchin, did not immediately answer a request for comment.
But other Dems blasted Manchin.
“This is a big blow, frankly,” former Democratic Rep. Donna Edwards of Maryland told “Meet the Press.” “This was a major, essential piece of the president’s agenda ... One senator is going to deny the president of the United States his major policy priority.”
Manchin’s thumbs-down comes as Democrats are facing tough battles to keep control of Congress and hold onto other seats in 2022 elections.
Congressional Democrats have to “really deliver on saving people money” and working on climate change, Democratic Gov. Jared Polis of Colorado, who is running for reelection, said on “Meet the Press.”
Still, the West Virginia senator dug in his heels.
“If I can’t go home and explain it to the people of West Virginia, I can’t vote for it,” Manchin said.
