In an interview on “Fox News Sunday,” Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) said that while he's “done everything humanly possible,” to reach a compromise on President Joe Biden's multitrillion-dollar domestic agenda, he cannot support it.
The Build Back Better Act appears to be dead. In its current form, at least. (RELATED: ‘Fully Paid for' is Lie of the Year)
Manchin told guest host Bret Baier that it became clear he could not reach an agreement after discussions with President Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
WATCH:
Visceral reactions quickly followed:
Fox News reports:
“I've done everything humanly possible,” Manchin said, talking about how hard he has worked to try to reach an acceptable compromise on the bill.
In the end, however, he said that between ongoing inflation, the national debt, “geopolitical unrest,” and the COVID-19 pandemic, the bill being pushed by his fellow Democrats was too much.
SEE ALSO: ‘Surprised' Biden Unsure of How to Deal With Skyrocketing Inflation
“When you have these things coming at you the way they are right now … I cannot vote to continue with this piece of legislation,” he said, stating that if he cannot explain to his constituents why he would vote for a bill, then he cannot vote for it, despite all the work he and other Democrats have put into trying to make it work.
“This is a no,” he said. “I have tried everything I know to do.”
It appears that only substantial changes to the bill might satisfy Manchin. For now, Democrats find themselves at an impasse.
SEE ALSO: Manchin Dashes Progressive Hopes Yet Again
How concerned are you that Sen. Manchin will ultimately vote for most of what's in the Build Back Better Act? As always, tell us in the comments below!
What happened to Senator Sinema? Is Manchin the only principled Democrat in the Senate. Given his WV 60% approval, his constituents support him.
Apparently!