Policy Resolution Group Alert: Senator Manchin is a “No” on Build Back Better Agenda

Policy Resolution Group Alert

Senator Manchin is a “No” on Build Back Better Agenda

December 19, 2021

Earlier this morning on December 19, 2021, Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) indicated to Brett Baier of Fox News Sunday that he is currently a “no” on the Build Back Better Act, President Biden’s sweeping economic agenda.

Liam Donovan’s Bottom Line:

It goes without saying that opposition from Joe Manchin dooms the Build Back Better reconciliation package, at least in its current iteration. Whether Democrats can regroup and offer a slimmed down, reconfigured form of the Biden agenda that can pass muster with the West Virginia Senator remains to be seen. At some level, the flare-up isn't particularly surprising. The House passed Bill was always nonstarter with Manchin, and key changes were universally understood to be required. But clearly President Biden and progressives had held out hope that they could compel Manchin's support with only marginal tweaks. Today's escalation reflects Manchin's exasperation with the fact that his copartisans have not heeded his consistent warnings and clear concerns regarding the size and scope of the bill. Think of his Fox News appearance, and the lengthy statement his office had at the ready, as a bazooka across the bow. But it also underscores the guiding principle we have long espoused--anything that happens via reconciliation will be on Manchin's terms. Failure to accept this simple reality is a recipe for futility. As President Biden and his congressional allies gaze into the legislative abyss in the coming weeks, they'll have to rethink their strategy and come up with a new approach to woo Manchin and salvage their agenda in the new year.

Read the full update here.