White House press secretary Jen Psaki refused to discuss the tension between President Joe Biden and Democratic West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin in a press briefing Monday afternoon.
Manchin announced Sunday that he would not be supporting Biden’s $2 trillion Build Back Better Act.
When asked if President Joe Biden feels betrayed, Psaki responded by saying that “Our objective and focus now is moving forward.”
“If I can’t go home and explain to the people of West Virginia, I can’t vote for it,” Manchin said Sunday.
Several reporters asked Psaki about Biden’s relationship with Manchin.
“I’m not going to relitigate the tick-tock of yesterday from here today,” Psaki said.
Another reporter asked Psaki if Biden still trusts Manchin.
“I understand the questions here, but our focus is on moving forward,” Psaki answered.
Throughout the press briefing, Psaki committed to referring reporters to her statement Sunday when asked about Manchin.
Psaki’s statement Sunday slammed Manchin for coming out against Biden’s Build Back Better Act.
“Senator Manchin promised to continue conversations in the days ahead and to work with us to reach that common ground. If his comments and written statement indicate an end to that effort, they represent a sudden and inexplicable reversal in his position, and a breach of commitments to the President and the Senator’s colleagues in the House and Senate,” Psaki said in the statement.
Manchin has often criticized Biden’s Build Back Better agenda and has spoken with Biden about the spending bill several times.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced Monday the Senate would still vote on the Build Back Better Act despite losing support from Manchin.
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