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WASHINGTON — Sen. Joe Manchin (DW.Va.) joined “Meet the Press” this morning to discuss the details of his recently reached reconciliation deal with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
The deal could give Democrats a much-needed boost before November, but Manchin was unwilling to endorse Democratic control of the House and Senate.
“I’m going to work with everything I have,” Manchin said.
“I think the Democrats have some great candidates running. They’re good people I’ve worked with.” He continued: “I have tremendous respect and friendship with my fellow Republicans, so I can work on either side very easily.
When asked if he had a preference for the November election results, Manchin said he was comfortable with “whatever the voters choose”.
“I can’t decide what’s going to happen in Kansas or California or Texas. I really can not. Manchin continued, “I’ve always taken the approach, ‘whoever you send me is your representative, and I respect that.’ I respect the state for the people it sends, and I do my best to work with them, to do my best for my country. I don’t do politics that way. I don’t like it like That’s not who I am.
Negotiations on the Democrats’ energy and spending bill began in April, Manchin revealed, but were kept under wraps to avoid “drama.” Manchin said Democrats were “working and negotiating very quietly.”
Despite the agreement, the future of the bill is still uncertain, in part due to questions about the support of Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Arizona). “I would like to think she would be in favor of it, but I respect her decision. She will make her own decision based on the content,” Manchin said.
A source close to Senator Sinema told NBC News that Sinema “wasn’t included in the talks” with Democrats, but “the deal includes a tax provision that she has been clear and consistent with that she has agreed to.” opposite”.
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