Manchin delivers potential fatal blow to Biden's $1.75 trillion spending bill

(Reuters, 20 Dec 2021) The Democratic senator's decision not to back Biden's signature domestic policy bill, known as Build Back Better, threatens measures to expand the social safety net and tackle climate change.

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, a moderate Democrat who is key to President Joe Biden's hopes of passing a $1.75 trillion domestic investment bill, said on Sunday he would not support the package, drawing a sharp rebuke from the White House.

Manchin appeared to deal a fatal blow to Biden's signature domestic policy bill, known as Build Back Better, which aims to expand the social safety net and tackle climate change.

"I cannot vote to continue with this piece of legislation," Manchin said in an interview with the "Fox News Sunday" program, citing concerns about inflation. "I just can't. I have tried everything humanly possible."

He then released a statement accusing his party of pushing for an increase in the debt load that would "drastically hinder" the ability of the country to respond to the coronavirus pandemic and geopolitical threats.

"My Democratic colleagues in Washington are determined to dramatically reshape our society in a way that leaves our country even more vulnerable to the threats we face," Manchin said.

The White House responded angrily, accusing him of breaking his promise to find common ground and get the bill passed.

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Reuters, 20 Dec 2021: Manchin delivers potential fatal blow to Biden's $1.75 trillion spending bill

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