Economists question validity of Manchin's inflation fears on Build Back Better

Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia effectively put an end to negotiations over the current version of the Build Back Better Act on Sunday when he announced on Fox News he would vote no on the legislation, in part over concerns some provisions of the massive tax and spending bill might exacerbate inflation.

A day later, on Monday, Manchin expounded on his rationale in a radio interview with West Virginia MetroNews, saying he had been clear early on in the negotiations that he was concerned about inflation. After acknowledging that he was also...