Manchin Finally Put The Nail In The Coffin Of Build Back Better

Senator Joe Manchin (D.W.Va.) put the final nail in the coffin for the ambitious $1.75 trillion Build Back Better spending plan by declaring that he is a “no” on the legislation and “cannot vote for it.”

Fox News was the final place where the announcement was made by the centrist Democrat. The senator sent an aide to notify the White House just 30 minutes before going on-air. 

“Well, Bret, this is a mammoth piece of legislation and I have had my reservations from the beginning, when I heard about it five and half months ago, and I’ve been working diligently every day, every minute of every day,” Manchin stated, adding that he’s “done everything possible” to support the bill. “

Manchin said he could not support the bill. He then went on to “explain it to the people of West Virginia.”

Baier also pointed out that the spending package was repeatedly cut largely to appease Manchin and that Biden recently issued a statement stating that Manchin supported the bill at its current dollar figure.

Manchin responded to a question about his progressive colleagues blaming him solely for the Senate bill’s stalling.

“If that’s what people need to show where they are, then vote,” he said. “I’ve been trying to say it. How many different ways can I say it?”

The senator stated that “my Democratic colleagues in Washington are determined to radically reshape the society in a manner that leaves our country even greater vulnerable to the threats facing us.” “I cannot accept that risk.”

Jen Psaki, White House Press Secretary, stated that Manchin’s Fox comments were in direct contradiction to his discussions with President Biden, White House staff and his public statements. She claimed that Manchin had delivered a written outline of the bill to President Biden this week. It was “the same size as the President’s framework”, and she “promised to continue discussions.”