Manchin Says No To Build Back Better Act, Infuriates Biden

Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia said he's a no on the Build Back Better Act, effectively ending negotiations on this version of legislation that would expand the nation's social safety net, Daniella Diaz reported for CNN.

Photo Insert: Moderate Democrat Manchin has always been a key holdout for the legislation.

Manchin has always been a key holdout for the legislation, sharing concerns over certain provisions of the massive tax and spending bill and how it may exacerbate soaring inflation in the country.

"And I cannot vote to continue with this piece of legislation. I just can't. I've tried everything humanly possible. I can't get there," he said on "Fox News Sunday." Manchin had been accused of carrying water for the fossil fuel industry and using inflation as a bogus argument to kill social safety bills.

In a remarkable statement attacking a member of Biden's own party, the White House said Manchin's comments were "at odds with his discussions this week with the President, with White House staff, and with his own public utterances."

The statement gives what the White House claimed were details of Manchin's discussions with the President; something the administration has been reluctant to do.

On Tuesday of this week, Senator Manchin came to the White House and submitted -- to the President, in person, directly -- a written outline for a Build Back Better bill that was the same size and scope as the President's framework, and covered many of the same priorities," White House press secretary Jen Psaki wrote.

"While that framework was missing key priorities, we believed it could lead to a compromise acceptable to all." According to Psaki, Manchin "promised to continue conversations in the days ahead, and to work with us to reach that common ground."

"If his comments on FOX and written statement indicate an end to that effort, they represent a sudden and inexplicable reversal in his position, and a breach of his commitments to the President and the Senator's colleagues in the House and Senate," Psaki said.

Psaki added: "Just as Senator Manchin reversed his position on Build Back Better this morning, we will continue to press him to see if he will reverse his position yet again, to honor his prior commitments and be true to his word," the statement reads.

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