Sen. Manchin Backs ‘Targeted’ Infrastructure Bill, Opposes Reconciliation
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) on Sunday said he would back passing a smaller infrastructure bill with bipartisan support in what appears to be opposition to President Joe Biden’s plan.
In an interview with CNN, the Democratic senator said that he prefers a “more targeted” measure that would incorporate internet broadband, roads, and other traditional infrastructure needs. When asked if he would back another bill with other related spending via a Senate process called reconciliation, he replied, “No.”
“I’m not a roadblock at all. The best politics is good government. I can’t believe that people believe that if you just do it my way, that will give us the momentum to get through the next election,” Manchin told CNN. “We won’t give this system a chance to work. I’m not going to be part of blowing up this Senate of ours, or basically this democracy of ours, or the Republic that we have.”