The senator says he wants more \u00ab\u00a0clarity\u00a0\u00bb on the framework’s economic impact.<\/b>
\nKey Democratic Senator Joe Manchin is demanding more time to get \u00ab\u00a0clarity\u00a0\u00bb on the economic impact of the social spending package put forward by President Biden and other Democrats. In remarks to reporters on Monday, Manchin blasted House progressives for holding the bipartisan infrastructure bill hostage. Last week before leaving for Europe, President Biden announced a, trimmed down from the original $3.5 trillion. But Manchin made it clear Monday he still isn’t comfortable with the framework in its current state, and the Senate can’t pass the legislation without him. Democrats had hoped to possibly vote on both the infrastructure and the reconciliation bill this week, but Manchin’s comments indicated that might not be possible. \u00ab\u00a0As more of the real details outlined in the basic framework are released, what I see are shell games, budget gimmicks that make the real cost of the so-called $1.75 trillion bill estimated to be almost twice that amount, if the full time is run out, if you extended it permanently,\u00a0\u00bb Manchin told reporters Monday afternoon. \u00ab\u00a0And that we haven’t even spoken about. This is a recipe for economic crisis.\u00a0\u00bb Manchin, who has all along expressed concerns over spending, increasing the debt, and inflation, reiterated those concerns Monday. He took no questions. \u00ab\u00a0I will not support the reconciliation legislation without knowing how the bill would impact our debt and our economy and our country,\u00a0\u00bb Manchin said. The senator from West Virginia said he’s been working in \u00ab\u00a0good faith\u00a0\u00bb in negotiations on the so-called reconciliation bill and that he’s willing to compromise, accusing his progressive colleagues of taking an \u00ab\u00a0all or nothing\u00a0\u00bb approach. \u00ab\u00a0While I’ve worked hard to find a path to compromise, it’s obvious: compromise is not good enough for a lot of my colleagues in Congress,\u00a0\u00bb he said. \u00ab\u00a0It’s all or nothing.\u00a0\u00bb Within the hour, the White House responded to Manchin’s statement. \u00ab\u00a0Senator Manchin says he is prepared to support a Build Back Better plan that combats inflation, is fiscally responsible, and will create jobs. The plan the House is finalizing meets those tests\u2014it is fully paid for, will reduce the deficit, and brings down costs for health care, child care, elder care, and housing,\u00a0\u00bb White House press secretary Jen Psaki said. \u00ab\u00a0Experts agree: Seventeen Nobel Prize-winning economists have said it will reduce inflation. As a result, we remain confident that the plan will gain Senator Manchin’s support.\u00a0\u00bb This is a developing story. CBS News reporter covering the Senate.<\/p>\n