Biden, Manchin discuss social spending bill after US senator rejects supervisor

By Kanishka Singh

(Reuters) – US President Joe Biden and Senator Joe Manchin talked about the “Build Back Better” bill a day after the conservative Democratic senator publicly rejected the social spending plans. presidential association, a White House adviser said Friday.

“He (Biden) has little confidence in that[bill]including the discussions he’s had with Senator Manchin,” said Jared Bernstein, a member of the House panel of economic advisers. White, said in an interview with CNN on Friday.

“The President and Senator Manchin – the day after that announcement, where the senator said he could not vote on the bill as it is – they talked again.”

Reuters previously reported that Biden and Manchin had made no significant progress in negotiations after Manchin rejected the plan in early December but aides felt reassured that lines of communication remained open. open and friendly. Biden told reporters this week that the pair have not spoken since.

Manchin’s rejection is detrimental to the legislation because his support is crucial in the Senate, where Democrats have the thinnest margin of control and Republicans are united in opposing the bill. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the house would vote on a package in early 2022.

Manchin’s move prompted investment bank Goldman Sachs (NYSE:) to lower its forecast for US economic growth. Manchin’s rejection of the bill threatens to cost hundreds of billions of dollars in funding measures to combat climate change and meet the Biden administration’s climate goals.

Manchin has expressed concern about several proposals in the domestic policy bill signed by Biden, including multiple climate proposals and extending monthly child tax credit payments.

Biden told reporters after Manchin’s denial that he and the senator would “get something done” on the legislation.

US Representative Pramila Jayapal, a leading Liberal Democrat, has asked Biden to continue focusing on social spending legislation and urged him to use action despite Manchin’s public rejection of the plan.