Manchin Says He Won't Support Biden's Spending Bill

On Sunday, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) came out in opposition to President Joe Biden's Build Back Better spending bill, delivering a blow to the president's agenda after over five months of negotiating with Democrats.  Manchin claims the bill would worsen budget deficits and fuel inflation. Biden and other Democrats say that its education, job training, and other initiatives would curb inflation and spur economic growth in the long-term.

Congress has recessed for the Christmas holidays, and it is unlikely that the Senate will be recalled to force an immediate vote.  When the bill is re-addressed in January, it is likely that Biden's plans to address wealth inequality and climate change will be reworked, and the focus could narrow to priorities such as the expanded child tax credit.  Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) promises to keep scheduling votes until some version of the Build Back Better bill is passed.