Sen. Joe Manchin slams Biden spending plan as Democratic deal teeters

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) took fresh potshots at President Biden’s sprawling spending plan on Monday, suggesting Democrats are still far from a long-awaited deal to pass both that bill and a separate bipartisan infrastructure deal.

The moderate kingmaker denounced progressive lawmakers for “holding hostage” the infrastructure deal by refusing to vote for it until he and other moderates reach a deal on the bigger spending package.

“This is not how the United States Congress should operate,” Manchin said. “The political games have to stop.”

Manchin said he continues to have big problems with the $1.75 trillion Build Back Better plan, that the White House and fellow Democrats have already trimmed almost in half.

“I’m open to supporting a final bill that helps move our country forward,” he said, citing unknown impacts of the bill on the economy and inflation. “But I’m equally open to voting against a bill that hurts our country.”

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said she remains “confident” that Manchin will support the plan.

Manchin’s speech threw cold water on the increasing optimism Democratic leaders had sounded in recent days about pushing ahead with both bills, possibly as early as this week.

It also came at an awkward time for the White House with Biden traveling overseas and voters going to the polls in Virginia Tuesday.

Despite the angry tone, Manchin pointedly did not rule out eventually supporting the Biden bill and repeated his mantra about acting in good faith.

“I’ve been dealing in good faith and I will continue to deal in good faith with all of my colleagues,” he said.

Democrats need all 50 of their senators, including Manchin and fellow moderate Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, to pass the spending package.

But they cannot afford to lose any significant number of progressives in the House of Representatives to pass the infrastructure bill.