The West Virginia senator’s dramatic announcement on Fox News Sunday could possibly derail plans to expand social services and take radical action against climate change - a major sticking point in talks between advocates and critics of the spending package. Manchin has been praised by Republicans and condemned by progressives.
It comes despite months of intense negotiations between the White House, moderate and progressive factions of the Democratic Party, and a series of major changes to the proposal. There are now concerns in the White House about the ability to pass other major bills, including voting rights legislation, that would require Manchin’s vote in the 50-50 Senate.
“This is one of the best Christmas gifts America could get this year,” GOP Rep. Robert Aderholt of Alabama tweeted on Sunday. “I applaud Senator Manchin for standing his ground.”
“Thank you, Sen. Joe Manchin for doing the right thing,” former Republican Maryland congressional candidate Kimberly Klacik wrote on Twitter on Sunday. “It’s a terrible bill & should have never made it this far.”
FULL STORY: Republicans Applaud Joe Manchin for Rejecting Biden’s ‘Terrible’ Build Back Better Act
Asked by Fox News host Bret Baier if that meant Manchin was “done…this is a no?”
The senator appeared to confirm that it was his final decision, saying “this is a no on this legislation”.
In its research report into the U.S. economy, it said that not passing the Build Back Better Act “has negative growth implications”.
FULL STORY: White House Says Joe Manchin ‘Reversed’ His Position on Build Back Better
New York representative Jamaal Bowman tweeted that “enough is enough” and called on Manchin to “vote on the Senate floor - not on Fox News”.
Follow Newsweek’s liveblog throughout Monday for all the latest.
