Democratic Senator Joe Manchin said on Tuesday he hasn't yet held discussions with high-ranking officials of the Democratic Party about approving Joe Biden's $1.75 trillion Build Back Better Act.
"There are no negotiations going on at this time," Manchin told reporters as Senate resumed work following holidays, adding he doesn't oppose new talks and that lawmakers will have an easier time reaching a deal on climate policy than the part involving social programs.
Manchin opposed the legislation that passed the House last year, pushing the bill's potential approval into 2022 as the Democrats needed his vote to pass it.
