Just when it seemed like Joe Biden was about to get a major win, Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) has put another wrench into the works.
Manchin has now come forward to say that he does not support any federal vaccine mandates on business.
This presents yet another major roadblock to Senator Schumer (D-N.Y.) being able to put the reconciliation package on the floor next week.
Not So Quick, Joe
Manchin is a Democrat, but he has a very moderate base.
They made it quite clear to Manchin that they do not support the majority of Biden’s big spending bill.
Manchin has caved to the point that he is even willing to use reconciliation, but he is picking some key measures from this legislation and blocking them.
The latest being the vaccine mandates for business.
Manchin stated, “Let me be clear, I do not support any government vaccine mandate on private businesses.
“That’s why I have cosponsored and will strongly support a bill to overturn the federal government vaccine mandate for private businesses.
“I have long said we should incentivize, not penalize, private employers whose responsibility it is to protect their employees from COVID-19.
“I have personally had both vaccine doses and a booster shot, and I continue to urge every West Virginian to get vaccinated themselves.”
Senator Mike Braun (R-IN) applauded Manchin and the effort to dial down federal overreach.
He stated, “I hope that more Democratic Senators and Representatives will follow Senator Manchin’s strong lead and stand up against this federal overreach that will wreak havoc on our recovering economy and trample on the rights of millions of Americans.”
Schumer has vowed to put the big spending bill on the Senate floor by December 13, but this could put a stop to that.
If Democrats and Biden do not have that reconciliation bill passed before the year rolls over, it will be considered a crushing defeat for this administration.
Source: The Hill
