Manchin rejects climate and tax provisions in Democrats' spending package

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) delivered a serious blow to ongoing Senate negotiations for a Democratic budget package, telling Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Thursday that he will not support a bill that includes climate or tax provisions — leaving slimmed-down legislation focused on healthcare.

The West Virginia Democrat favors a bill that would lower prescription drug prices and extend for two years health insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, which would prevent premium increases that many states are set to announce next month, according to a Democrat briefed...