Psaki hits back at Sen. Manchin for his refusal to pass Biden’s Build Back Better Act

Psaki’s remarks came following Manchin’s statement to Fox News Sunday that he would not move forward with the president’s plans. Sens. Machin and Sinema’ rejection of the president’s plans have become a stumbling block for Democrats intent on passing the multi-trillion dollar budget proposal.

Citing inflation, which Manchin says is not transitory and has a measurable impact on West Virginians, whom he represents, Manchin told Fox News’ Bret Baier that his support for the Build Back Better Act was a definite “no”.

Psaki said in her statement that Manchin’s remarks were “at odds” with what he previously told President Biden, and said they were a “breach of his commitments” with regard to continuing negotiations between the White House and Manchin.

Psaki’s statement reads as follows:

Senator Manchin’s comments this morning on FOX are at odds with his discussions this week with the President, with White House staff, and with his own public utterances. Weeks ago, Senator Manchin committed to the President, at his home in Wilmington, to support the Build Back Better framework that the President then subsequently announced. Senator Manchin pledged repeatedly to negotiate on finalizing that framework “in good faith.”

On Tuesday of this week, Senator Manchin came to the White House and submitted—to the President, in person, directly—a written outline for a Build Back Better bill that was the same size and scope as the President’s framework, and covered many of the same priorities. While that framework was missing key priorities, we believed it could lead to a compromise acceptable to all. Senator Manchin promised to continue conversations in the days ahead, and to work with us to reach that common ground. If his comments on FOX and written statement indicate an end to that effort, they represent a sudden and inexplicable reversal in his position, and a breach of his commitments to the President and the Senator’s colleagues in the House and Senate.

Psaki reiterated the claim, in her statement, that the Build Back Better Act was “completely paid for” and would therefore not increase the deficit, and added that the White House would continue to push back against Manchin to force him to reverse his position.

“The fight for Build Back Better is too important to give up. We will find a way to move forward next year,” Psaki wrote.