Sanders: Let Manchin vote no on Build Back Better 'in front of the whole world'

Authored by thehill.com and submitted by battlebeez
image for Sanders: Let Manchin vote no on Build Back Better 'in front of the whole world'

Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersLiberals disappointed after Biden's first year Sunday shows preview: COVID-19 cases surge amid omicron wave Democrats end year reopening old wounds MORE (I-Vt.) expressed his frustration with Sen. Joe Manchin Joe ManchinFilibuster-backers are Framer-wannabes Liberals disappointed after Biden's first year Sunday shows preview: COVID-19 cases surge amid omicron wave MORE after the West Virginia Democrat said Sunday he would not vote for President Biden Joe BidenSenate confirms 40 judges during Biden's first year in office, the most since Reagan SNL removes live audience, loses musical guest for Saturday as omicron spreads Liberals disappointed after Biden's first year MORE's social spending package.

“I think he's gonna have a lot of explaining to do to the people of West Virginia,” Sanders told CNN’s Jake Tapper Jacob (Jake) Paul TapperSunday shows - Spotlight shifts to deadly storms FEMA administrator on extreme weather: 'This is going to be our new normal' Kentucky governor expects tornado death toll to rise MORE on “State of the Union.”

Sanders alleged that Manchin “doesn’t have the guts to stand up to powerful special interests.” The Vermont Democrat said he still wanted the Senate to take a vote on the bill regardless of where Manchin stands.

“We've been dealing with Mr. Manchin for month after month after month. But if he doesn't have the courage to do the right thing for the working families of West Virginia and America, let him vote no in front of the whole world,” he added.

During an interview on “Fox News Sunday,” Manchin finally gave a decisive answer on where he stands on the bill after months of wrangling among lawmakers to get his crucial vote in a Senate that is split 50-50.

"I cannot vote to continue with this piece of legislation. I just can't. I tried everything humanly possible. I can't get there," Manchin told guest host Bret Baier.

Given Manchin’s decision to vote against the Build Back Better bill and his opposition to eliminating the filibuster, Tapper on CNN asked Sanders if President Biden’s agenda was dead. Sanders instead emphasized that Democrats had to focus on passing voting rights legislation, saying that “what is terribly important is that we pass the voting rights bill.”

Manchin's lack of support of the Build Back Better bill will likely jeopardize Democrats’ plan to pass the legislation through reconciliation, which requires 50 votes.

bogboom on December 19th, 2021 at 16:33 UTC »

Telling he went on Fox News to make this announcement. Turns out there is no Democratic Senator from WVA.

CaptainNoBoat on December 19th, 2021 at 16:19 UTC »

Full response in the interview:

Bernie: "He's going to have a lot of explaining to do to the people of West Virginia - to tell them why he doesn't have the guts to take on the drug companies, to lower the cost of prescription drugs.. Why he has not prepared to expand home health care. West Virginia is one of the poorest states in this country. You have elderly people and disabled people who would like to stay home that are forced into nursing homes. He's going to have to tell the people of West Virginia why he doesn't want to expand Medicare to cover dental, hearing, and eyeglasses. I've been to West Virginia multiple times... but it is a state that is struggling.

And he's going to have to tell the people of West Virginia why he is rejecting what the scientists of the world are telling us - that we have to act boldly. And transform our energy system to protect future generations form the devastation of climate change. You know what's going on, Jake, in Washington is the big money interests pouring hundreds of millions of dollars to make sure we continue to pay the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs and that the rich do not pay their fair share for taxes. And I would've hoped that we would have at least 50 Democrats on board who have the guts to stand up for working families and will stand up to lobbyists and special interests. We have NO republicans.. not one republican in the United States Senate or the House for that matter, is prepared to stand up to the drug companies, or the insurance companies, or the wealthy. I would hope we would've had 50 Democrats. But if that is the case, I would hope we would bring a strong bill to the floor of the Senate as soon as we can, and let Mr. Manchin explain to the people of West Virginia why he doesn't have the guts to stand up to powerful special interests."

Jake: "So you want to vote on it no matter what?"

Bernie: "Absolutely"

sonny9636 on December 19th, 2021 at 15:53 UTC »

I agree. Let him vote down child tax credit.