In a warning sign to party leaders, the West Virginia Democrat says he won’t support the bill until there’s ‘greater clarity’ about how it will affect the economy
“Simply put, I will not support a bill that is this consequential without thoroughly understanding the impact that it will have on our national debt, our economy and most importantly all of our American people,” Manchin said at a news conference Monday afternoon.
Manchin also called on the House of Representatives to pass the bipartisan infrastructure bill and warned, in an implicit rebuke to progressives, that “holding this bill hostage” won’t work in getting him to support the larger social spending and economic package. Manchin has been non-committal about that larger package since Biden released a framework, but reiterated major concerns today.
Manchin told CNN on Monday he plans to soon make a statement. “I think I will clear up a lot of things sometime today,” he said.
Asked him to explain what that meant, he said: “I think there needs to be clarity on where everybody stands.” He later said: “I’m gonna put clarity to it.”
Manchin suggested to CNN last week he was supportive of the $1.75 trillion price tag, but he has not weighed in on the overall proposal as well as many of the details.
The plan would represent a massive investment in key liberal priorities and a significant expansion of the social safety net. It would focus on expanding access to health care, addressing the climate crisis and increasing aid to families among a number of provisions, and stands as a centerpiece of the President’s domestic agenda.
This story and headline have been updated with additional developments Monday.
