Democrat Senator Joe Manchin and Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski stressed the importance of bipartisanship and compromise over the weekend, indicating they would support and endorse each other’s respective reelection campaigns.
Manchin also emphasized that the Biden administration’s “Build Back Better” bill remains dead, especially since the legislation was aggressively pushed forward without giving both sides adequate opportunity to debate.
Observing that the mega-trillion spending bill “has been presented over … the last seven, eight, nine months,” Manchin declared that the “bill will no longer exist.”
The West Virginia senator cites his largest concern as the absence of committee discussions, which constitute a significant part of “the process” regarding major legislative changes.
Manchin asserted that Murkowski should have had “an opportunity to have input” regardless of whether or not she votes in favor of the bill’s passage.
“It should have gone through the committee,” Manchin declared, adding that “major changes” should have “a hearing,” one that will culminate in “a better product” due to having a diverse array of input.
Manchin said his biggest concern and opposition was that it did not go “through the process” of committee discussions.
The Democrat praised Murkowski and her contributions to the Republican Party, proclaiming that “Alaska could only be so lucky to have her continue to serve them.”
Murkowski demonstrated reciprocal support for Manchin, adding that she would support his reelection campaign should he choose to run again in 2024.
Despite Murkowski’s support, Manchin has suffered from significant criticism from several members of his own party for refusing to support massive spending packages, including Build Back Better and other Democrat-advocated legislative propositions.
The Alaska senator also noted that her state is in great need of funding for infrastructure improvements and development.
“I needed support in Alaska for things like a marine highway system when you have 80% of your communities that aren’t connected by land,” Murkowski remarked.
In addition, both senators are also collaborating with one another on election reform.
“Every American has absolutely the right to vote and [that right] should be protected by law,” Manchin proclaimed.
