Sen. Joe Manchin Says No to $2T Bill: ‘I Can’t Vote for It’

Associated PressPublished: December 19, 2021

FILE PHOTO: WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 17: Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) is followed by reporters as he leaves a caucus meeting with Senate Democrats at the U.S. Capitol Building on December 17, 2021 in Washington, DC. Democrats continue to work on a path forward in regards to the Build Back Better and election reform legislation ahead of the Holiday recess. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

By HOPE YEN, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin says he can't back a $2 trillion social safety net bill, and his opposition is dealing a potentially fatal blow to President Joe Biden's signature legislation.

Manchin tells "Fox News Sunday" that he's always made clear he had reservations about the legislation.

Now, after five-and-a half months of discussions and negotiations, Manchin says, "I cannot vote to continue with this piece of legislation, I just can't."

FILE PHOTO:
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 15: Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) speaks to reporters as he leaves the Senate Chambers following a vote on December 15, 2021 in Washington, DC. The Senate voted to pass the National Defense Authorization Act, which sends the bill to the desk of U.S. President Joe Biden. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

The West Virginia senator cites a multitude of factors weighing on the economy and the potential harm he saw from pushing through the "mammoth" bill, such as persistent inflation, a growing debt and the latest threat from the omicron variant.

FILE PHOTO:
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 15: Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) walks out of a meeting with fellow Democratic senators for a break in the basement of the U.S. Capitol Building on December 15, 2021 in Washington, DC. The senators held the meeting to discuss senate rules with their staff members. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

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