The senator told NBC's “Meet the Press" that will be decided by the voters in individual states, rather than his own list of choices. He added that people “are sick and tired of politics” and want their representatives in Washington to put country over party.
“I’ve always taken the approach, whoever you send me, that’s your representative and I respect them and I respect the state for the people they send and I give it my best to work with them and do the best for my country,” Manchin said.
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Manchin faces re-election in 2024 in a state where Donald Trump prevailed in every county in the past two presidential races, acquiring more than two-thirds of West Virginia's voters. However, in alienating himself from fellow Democrats, Manchin also tried to denounce the rise of partisanship.
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“We’re not working for any party. We’re not working for any political idealism,” he said, lamenting “bickering over political outcomes and who’s going to be in charge of what” at a time of global tensions, war and economic stress fueled by rising inflation.
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Manchin was scheduled to star on five news shows, the closing of a high-profile week in which his compromise with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., revived a package of White House priorities on climate, health care, taxes and deficit reduction. The West Virginia senator torpedoed a grander plan last December and previously lowered expectations about a substantial agreement being reached.
While more modest than earlier versions, the surprise deal appears to have helped transform Manchin from pariah to partner.
On "Fox News Sunday," he defended the 15% minimum tax on corporations with $1 billion or more of earnings as closing “loopholes,” rather than an outright tax increase.
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Manchin said the project, the “Inflation Reduction Act,” would help with manufacturing jobs, reduce deficits by $300 billion, lower prescription drug prices and hasten the permitting process for energy production. These are the kinds of priorities that Republicans have supported in the past, Manchin said.
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“We’re doing everything you’ve asked,” Manchin said. “I would hope, and in normal times, this would be a bipartisan bill, but I understand the toxic atmosphere we're in.”
The Senate is split 50-50, with Vice President Kamala Harris's tiebreaking vote, giving the Democrats control of the chamber. In the House, Democrats have a 220-211 edge, with four vacancies. But in midterm elections, voters often go against the party that holds the White House, and this year, President Joe Biden's unpopularity and rising inflation are creating strong headwinds for Democrats.
Manchin demurred when asked on NBC whether he hoped Democrats would keep their majorities in Congress.
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