West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin
Joseph (Joe) ManchinSunday Show Preview: New COVID-19 Variants Distributed in US; Redditors Shake Wall Street With Gamestop Stock Biden Wants Democrats To Keep Trump’s Trial Short Joe Manchin Could Show Senate A Better Way Forward MORE (D), a major change in the Senate, expressed frustration Friday at an interview Vice President Harris gave to a state television station, saying the White House had not given him advance notice.
Speaking with NBC subsidiary WSAZ, the centrist Democrat said the vice president’s interview was “no way to work together,” and called on the White House to help find a “two-pronged way forward.”
“I saw [the interview], I could not believe it. Nobody called me [about it], ”Said Manchin according to WSAZ. ‘We are going to try to find a two-pronged way forward, but we have to work together. That is not a way of working together. “
Harris had given the interview to push for the White House’s coronavirus control proposal.
“So far, one in seven families describes their household as hungry, one in six can’t afford the rent, and one in four small businesses is closing or has already closed, so it’s a big deal in West Virginia and it whole country, “Harris told WSAZ.” And that’s why the president and I are offering the American bailout. “
A request for further comment from Manchin’s office was not immediately answered. The White House also did not immediately send an email regarding the Senator’s comments.
Manchin is seen as one of the most important voices in the divided Senate during President Biden’s first 100 days. The West Virginia Senator has expressed some restraint over some of the provisions in the White House’s COVID-19 contingency plan, which is seen as Biden’s first legislative boost, including the $ 1,400 direct payments to Americans in the bill. Earlier in December, he backed a bill that paid $ 600 to Americans who made less than $ 75,000 a year.
Some Republican senators made their own calls on Sunday for a two-pronged compromise law that Sen. Bill Cassidy
Bill CassidySunday Shows Preview: New COVID-19 Variants Distributed in US; Redditors Shake Wall Street With Gamestop Stock OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Biden Signs Batch of Orders to Address Climate Change | Republicans press on Granholm about fossil fuels during confirmation hearing Republicans press on Granholm about fossil fuels during confirmation hearing MORE (R-La.) Indicated, would probably total less than half of what the Democrats have asked for.