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The Biden administration's agenda is hanging in the balance this morning after Democratic senator Joe Manchin declared his opposition to the $2 trillion Build Back Better Act.
The West Virginia senator's dramatic announcement on Fox News Sunday could possibly derail plans to expand social services and take radical action against climate change - a major sticking point in talks between advocates and critics of the spending package. Manchin has been praised by Republicans and condemned by progressives.
It comes despite months of intense negotiations between the White House, moderate and progressive factions of the Democratic Party, and a series of major changes to the proposal. There are now concerns in the White House about the ability to pass other major bills, including voting rights legislation, that would require Manchin's vote in the 50-50 Senate.
'One of the best Christmas gifts American could get': Republicans thank Manchin for rejecting Biden spending plans
Republicans are cheery this morning after his announcement, knowing that their uniform rejection of the Build Back Better plans - plus Manchin's vote - will be enough to stop them passing through Congress.
"This is one of the best Christmas gifts America could get this year," GOP Rep. Robert Aderholt of Alabama tweeted on Sunday. "I applaud Senator Manchin for standing his ground."
"Thank you, Sen. Joe Manchin for doing the right thing," former Republican Maryland congressional candidate Kimberly Klacik wrote on Twitter on Sunday. "It's a terrible bill & should have never made it this far."
FULL STORY: Republicans Applaud Joe Manchin for Rejecting Biden's 'Terrible' Build Back Better Act
Why did Joe Manchin say he 'can't' vote for BBB?
The senator said he could not bring himself to vote for something when "I can't go home and explain it" to his West Virginia constituents.
I cannot vote to continue with this piece of legislation. I've tried everything humanly possible and I can't get there.
Asked by Fox News host Bret Baier if that meant Manchin was "done...this is a no?"
The senator appeared to confirm that it was his final decision, saying "this is a no on this legislation".
I have tried everything I know to do and the president has worked diligently, he's been wonderful to work with...but he knows I've had concerns.
Goldman Sachs cuts U.S. economic forecast due to Manchin
The financial institution slashed its GDP forecast for the first quarter of 2022 from 3 percent to 2, the second quarter has been cut from 3.5 percent to 3, and the third quarter from 3 percent to 2.75.
In its research report into the U.S. economy, it said that not passing the Build Back Better Act "has negative growth implications".
White House says Manchin's decision 'at odds' with earlier discussion
It appears the White House was blindsided by Manchin's announcement yesterdy. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the senator had "committed to the President, at his home in Wilmington, to support the Build Back Better framework that the President then subsequently announced".
Just as Senator Manchin reversed his position on Build Back Better this morning, we will continue to press him to see if he will reverse his position yet again, to honor his prior commitments and be true to his word.
FULL STORY: White House Says Joe Manchin 'Reversed' His Position on Build Back Better
Biden's unexpected
The president suggested "almost every American" could agree with the reasons behind his Build Back Better spending package, including tackling "outrageously expensive" drug prices, in tweets before Manchin shot the Act down.
There aren't a lot of things that almost every American can agree on. But I think it's safe to say that all of us can agree that prescription drugs are outrageously expensive in our country.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) December 17, 2021
Under my Build Back Better bill, which has passed the House, they won’t be.
'Manchin's excuse is b*llshit': Progressives slam Joe Manchin after his refusal to back BBB
Representative Ilhan Omar did not mince her words and called out the decision to separate the Build Back Better Act from Biden's infrastructure bill, which progressives had strongly opposed.
Let’s be clear: Manchin’s excuse is bullshit. The people of West Virginia would directly benefit from childcare, pre-Medicare expansion, and long term care, just like Minnesotans.
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) December 19, 2021
This is exactly what we warned would happen if we separated Build Back Better from infrastructure. https://t.co/dhzcSk0qUV
New York representative Jamaal Bowman tweeted that "enough is enough" and called on Manchin to "vote on the Senate floor - not on Fox News".
If Joe Manchin wants to say he’s a “no” on the child tax credit, affordable housing, & protecting our climate, then let him vote no on the Senate floor--not on Fox News. Enough is enough.
— Jamaal Bowman (@JamaalBowmanNY) December 19, 2021
Good morning and welcome to Newsweek's liveblog
Biden's ambition to "Build Back Better" after the COVID pandemic has hit a serious stumbling block as Democrat Joe Manchin - a key senator needed to pass the legislation - refused to back the spending package last night.
Follow Newsweek's liveblog throughout Monday for all the latest.
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