Manchin Won’t Support Democrat’s $2T Build Back Better Program

On Sunday, Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) said he cannot support the Democrat Party’s $2 trillion Build Back Better plan.

With a tight Senate majority, losing Machin’s support can potentially deal a fatal blow to President Joe Biden’s proposal.

RELATED: Infighting Among Democrats Delays $1T Infrastructure Vote

Manchin Can Also Sink The Democrats’ 2022 Bid

Aside from sinking a proposed domestic infrastructure program, Manchin can also deal a fatal blow to the Dems’ 2022 prospects.

Biden’s party is heading to the midterm elections with less than stellar approval numbers. In addition, both chambers of Congress hold slim majorities, especially in the Senate. 

Appearing on Fox News Sunday, Manchin said that months of negotiations among party mates didn’t change his mind. 

Meanwhile, Democrats grudgingly believe that Manchin is actually the main roadblock to Build Back Better’s consensus.

“I cannot vote to continue with this piece of legislation. I just can't. I've tried everything humanly possible. I can't get there,” he said. In contrast, Democrats see Manchin as the main roadblock in achieving consensus. 

Is Manchin Leaving the Door Open?

Political analysts said that Manchin’s choice of words regarding the Build Back Better program indicates a willingness to continue talks.

However, his demands for a smaller, less inclusive program may alienate Democrats, especially progressives. 

The Build Back Better program includes measures aimed at helping millions of American households with children. The bill includes funding to extend the child tax credit, free preschool, and additional childcare support. 

In addition, the BBB program will include $500 billion for tax breaks and spending to lower carbon emissions. Experts look at this measure as the largest federal initiative aimed at combating climate change.

Other programs inserted in the Build Back Better programs also aimed to help the elderly. These include creating benefits for Medicare recipients, additional aid for seniors, housing, and job training.

As to how the US will pay for the $2 trillion programs, Democrats proposed raising taxes on ultra-rich Americans and large corporations. 

White House Hits Manchin For Going Back On His Word

As a result, White House press secretary Jen Psaki didn’t mince words when asked about the West Virginia senator’s statements.

She said that Manchin’s “sudden and inexplicable reversal in his position” meant he broke his commitments to Biden and other Democrats. Psaki added that Manchin, who comes from one of the country’s poorest states, will have to explain himself to his constituents.

Manchin will need to explain why many families will deal with higher health and child care costs when there’s a bill for that. 

In a statement, Psaki revealed that Manchin gave Biden a written proposal that contained the same size and scope as the Democrats’ proposal. She also said that the senator agreed to continue talks.

Manchin’s framework had a 10-year cost of $1.85 trillion. “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,” Psaki said.

Manchin Did What Republicans Usually Do To Biden’s Programs

Manchin’s decision to reject his party’s Build Back Better proposal served as a shock to Biden and other Democrats.

Usually, it was politicians from the other party that dealt the death blow to any proposed program. In fact, Manchin’s last-minute heads up before going on air seemed like a slap to the face to Democrats. 

Already, Democrat colleagues are fuming over his words, the result of pent-up frustration over months of negotiations that led to nowhere.

However, Manchin isn’t just the problem bedeviling the party. Another Democrat, Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) also professes her own misgivings about the Build Back Better bill. Meanwhile, progressives and centrists are fighting over individual measures.

Watch the LiveNOW From FOX video where Senator Joe Manchin says he ‘cannot vote' for President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better program:

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What do you think of Senator Joe Manchin’s decision to not support the Build Back Better program? Does this spell certain doom for Biden’s infrastructure proposal?

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