Moderate Sen. Joe Manchin blasted progressives Democrats on Monday, accusing them of holding a bipartisan infrastructure bill hostage and vowing not to support President Biden’s $1.75 trillion budget reconciliation package without “greater clarity about why Congress chooses to ignore the serious effects of inflation and debt” on the economy.
“I have worked in good faith for three months for the past three months with President Biden, Leader [Chuck] Schumer (D-NY), Speaker [Nancy] Pelosi (D-Calid.) and my colleagues on the reconciliation bill, and I will continue to do so,” he said in a brief press conference.
“For the sake of the country I urge the House to vote and pass the bipartisan infrastructure bill. Holding this bill hostage is not going to work and getting my support for the reconciliation bill,” Manchin told reporters.
