In an appearance on “Fox News Sunday,” Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) defended his decision to support a new spending package, saying it wouldn’t raise taxes or exacerbate inflation, adding that he was wrong about the previous spending package.
In the July 31 episode, host Brett Baier pointed out that last year, when Manchin last made an appearance on the show, he said the American Rescue Plan wouldn’t lead to inflation, Manchin promised that he wouldn’t make that mistake again.
Tackling the issue that Manchin was wrong before, Baier asked, “Why should Americans believe you now when you say this new bill will not exacerbate inflation?”
Manchin responded, “I’ll make sure I don’t make that mistake again… Bottom line, I’ll make sure I didn’t make that mistake again.”
Many, including groups like Americans for Tax Reform, believe the new package will lead to higher taxes, which Manchin is adamant this won’t be the case.
“It does not raise taxes,” Manchin added, explaining the package will “close loopholes.”
Manchin went on to admit he was doubtful he and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) would ever reach an agreement on the spending package, noting that when they did, he “made sure there were no tax increases whatsoever.”
The announcement that Manchin and Schumer had reached a deal comes months after the moderate Democrat thwarted Biden’s signature “Build Back Better” package over concerns it would lead to inflation. The new bill, known as the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, is a pared-down version of the $3 trillion Build Back Better package and costs only $433 billion.
