United States Senator Joe Manchin stated on Sunday that the Build Back Better Act would "dramatically reshape our society in a way that leaves our country even more vulnerable to the threats we face" as he revealed he will not support the bill. He cited the current "staggering" federal debt of over $29 trillion and rising inflation rates as the main reasons for his decision.
"We are also facing increasing geopolitical uncertainty as tensions rise with both Russia and China. Our ability to quickly and effectively respond to these pending threats would be drastically hindered by our rising debt," Manchin said in a statement. Senator Bernie Sanders, one of the main advocates of the bill, slammed the moderate lawmaker's move. "I also find it amusing that Sen. Manchin indicates his worry about the deficit after voting just this week for a military budget of $778 billion, four times greater than Build Back Better over ten years and $25 billion more than the president requested."
