OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Another day, another lie from President Joe Biden that the White House has had to correct.
The president was speaking to reporters and said he believes that Congress could still pass his Build Back Better agenda even after West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin said he would not vote for it the way it is written.
“Mr. President, you often talk about the importance of keeping your word of trust. Do you believe Senator Manchin kept his word to you? And how do you rebuild trust with progressives in your party to advance your legislation now?” a reporter said to the president.
“You know, I told you before — you’ve heard me say this before: Some people think maybe I’m not Irish because I don’t hold a grudge,” the president said.
“Look, I want to get things done. I still think there’s a possibility of getting Build Back Better done.
“What I don’t want to do is get into — and Joe went on TV today and — I don’t know if it was TV or not; I’m told he was speaking to the liberal caucus in the House and said, ‘Joe Biden didn’t mislead you, I misled you,’” he said.
“Mr. President, did Senator Manchin break his commitment to you? When you announced the framework, the White House says that all 50 senators were believed to get behind it — all 50 Democratic senators. So, did Senator Manchin break his commitment to you?” another reporter said.
“Senator Manchin and I are going to get something done. Thank you,” the president said.
BIDEN: "…and Joe (Manchin) went on TV today, uh, (I don't know) whether it's TV or not, I'm told he was speaking to the Liberal Caucus in the House and said, 'Joe Biden didn't mislead you, I misled you.'" pic.twitter.com/O21nnLsvE2
— Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) December 21, 2021
But then a White House aide said to CNN that “the President wanted to clarify that Senator Manchin did not characterize himself as having been ‘misleading.’”
The West Virginia senator announced on Fox News Sunday that he would not vote for the Build Back Better agenda.
The senator, who has been a thorn in the side of the White House since Biden was inaugurated, made the announcement during his appearance on “Fox News Sunday,” CNN reported.
“I cannot vote to continue with this piece of legislation, I just can’t. I tried everything humanly possible, I can’t get there” he said to host Bret Baier who was on after former host Chris Wallace stepped away from the show last week.
“You’re done – this is a no,” the host said.
“This is a no, on this legislation,” the senator said. “I have tried everything I know to do.”
“This is a no on this legislation. I have tried everything I know to do. And the President has worked diligently. He’s been wonderful to work with. He knows I’ve had concerns and the problems I’ve had and and, you know, the thing that we should all be directing our attention towards the variant, a Covid that we have coming back at us in so many different aspects in different ways, it’s affecting our lives again,” he said.
His statement essentially ends any chance of the massive social spending bill being passed.
He cited inflation and the deficit as two of the reasons he cannot vote for a bill that spends more than $1 trillion on social spending.
“When you have these things coming at you the way they are right now, I’ve always said this, Bret, if I can’t go home to the people of West Virginia, I can’t vote for it,” the senator said.
He confirmed that he is “done” on this legislation.
Vermont Progressive Democratic Sen. Bernie Sanders appeared on the CNN Sunday show “State of the Union” and was furious with Sen. Manchin.
“I think he’s going to have a lot of explaining to do to the people of West Virginia” and calling on Democrats to put the bill to a floor vote to pressure Manchin into voting no on the record,” he said.
“I hope that we will 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 the powerful special interests,” he said.
“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,” the senator said.
