Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) has dealt a huge blow to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) by refusing to back the Democrats’ latest radical spending plan.
Democrats were hoping to pass the sweeping new bill ahead of the looming November midterm election.
However, Manchin dropped the hammer on his party’s leadership, nixing any provisions on energy and climate or increased taxes in the new bill.
He will support a reconciliation bill that includes a provision to lower prescription drug prices and a two-year extension of subsidies for the Affordable Care Act.
“Political headlines are of no value to the millions of Americans struggling to afford groceries and gas as inflation soars to 9.1%,” Manchin spokesperson Sam Runyon told Fox News Thursday.
“Senator Manchin believes it’s time for leaders to put political agendas aside, reevaluate and adjust to the economic realities the country faces to avoid taking steps that add fuel to the inflation fire.”
Manchin said:
“Today’s inflation data illustrates the pain families across the country are feeling as costs continue to rise at a historic rate.
“9.1% is cause for serious concern.
“Items like chicken, eggs, and lunchmeat have increased to new highs, while energy costs rose more than 40% in June with those that can least afford it suffering the most.
“It is past time we put our country first and end this inflation crisis.
“For more than a year, leaders in Washington have ignored the serious concerns raised by myself and others about the rising cost of inflation.
“While Washington seems to now understand this reality, it is time for us to work together to get unnecessary spending under control, produce more energy at home, and take more active and serious steps to address this record inflation that now poses a clear and present danger to our economy.
“No matter what spending aspirations some in Congress may have, it is clear to anyone who visits a grocery store or a gas station that we cannot add any more fuel to this inflation fire,” he said.
West Virginia senator Joe Manchin, who continues to save Democrats from their idiocy, reportedly won’t support any new tax increases or climate spending. With Republicans poised to take over the House Joe Biden’s agenda is essentially now over. https://t.co/s9Z6WPuO3C
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) July 15, 2022
