Sen. Joe Manchin still ‘important partner’ despite dig at Biden’s $3.5 trillion infrastructure package
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) remains in President Biden’s good books despite the moderate lawmaker’s call to push the pause button on the administration’s $3.5 trillion infrastructure plan, a White House spokeswoman said Friday.
Spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre praised Manchin as an “important partner” when asked about an opinion piece published Thursday in which Manchin said the White House should take a step back from the massive reconciliation package.
Speaking on Air Force One as Biden jetted to Louisiana to inspect damage from Hurricane Ida, Jean-Pierre suggested Biden would be in touch with Manchin about his concerns about the bill and its hefty price tag.
But she said Biden continues to strongly support the measure, which Democratic leaders are pushing in tandem with a smaller bipartisan infrastructure plan.
“Senator Manchin is an important partner,” Jean-Pierre said. “The president firmly believes these important investments in our future should be paid for.”
Manchin’s stance on the reconciliation package is crucial because Democrats need to keep all 50 senators in line if they hope to pass the measure.
Progressive lawmakers in the House of Representatives, including firebrand Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), vow that they won’t support the smaller measure unless Manchin and other moderate lawmakers agree to also pass the bigger bill.
