WASHINGTON (AP) โ Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin says he canโt back a $2 trillion social safety net bill, and his opposition is dealing a potentially fatal blow to President Joe Bidenโs signature legislation.
Manchin tells โFox News Sundayโ that heโs always made clear he had reservations about the legislation.
Now, after five-and-a half months of discussions and negotiations, Manchin says, โI cannot vote to continue with this piece of legislation, I just canโt.โ
The White House had no immediate comment.
The West Virginia senator cites a multitude of factors weighing on the economy and the potential harm he saw from pushing through the โmammothโ bill, such as persistent inflation, a growing debt and the latest threat from the omicron variant.
