Manchin Slammed By Democrats For Voting Against HR1
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V., announced in a Sunday op-ed that he is voting against the For the People Act. The move drew sharp condemnation from Democrats.
The right-leaning Manchin holds a decisive vote in the Senate, which is split 50-50. Manchin posted his reasons for voting against overhauling election laws in the Charleston Gazette-Mail. He also affirmed that he opposes changing the filibuster.
"I believe that partisan voting legislation will destroy the already weakening binds of our democracy, and for that reason, I will vote against the For the People Act. Furthermore, I will not vote to weaken or eliminate the filibuster. For as long as I have the privilege of being your U.S. senator, I will fight to represent the people of West Virginia, to seek bipartisan compromise no matter how difficult and to develop the political bonds that end divisions and help unite the country we love," Manchin wrote.
The For the People Act would expand voting rights, overhauls campaign finance laws to reduce corporate money influence, limits partisan gerrymandering, and creates ethics rules for federal officeholders such as requiring top government officials to disclose 10 years of tax returns.
The law, also known as H.R. 1, was a top priority of the Biden administration. Democrats have failed to garner Republican support for the sweeping voter rights bills.
Manchin, 73, represents West Virginia, one of the most right-leaning states in the nation. After serving two terms as governor, he has been in the Senate since 2011.
Democrats slammed Manchin for his decision on the election bill.
Sen. Joe Manchin just stated he will vote against #ForThePeopleAct (HR1) the only chance we have to protect & expand voting rights, get dark money out of politics and restore trust in our elections.
— Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (@DebbieforFL) June 6, 2021
Our democracy just went on life support.
Never been this disappointed in a politician before. Joe Manchin is voting against the right to vote. His real reason can only be if we elect more Dems he will lose personal power and leverage he has now. Like so many before him, power has stolen his heart.
— Joe Lockhart (@joelockhart) June 6, 2021
“He’s a Republican” is trending because Joe Manchin won’t vote to secure voting rights. “He’s a Republican” is trending because it makes people feel better to equate white supremacy to republicanism as opposed to the actual truth that white supremacy is bipartisan.
— David Dennis Jr. (@DavidDTSS) June 6, 2021
Good morning and Happy Sunday to everyone who is completely DONE with Joe Manchin, who is voting AGAINST the For the People Act.
— BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) June 6, 2021
I'm seeing some twitter lefties going after Joe Manchin, but you ~need~ someone in your coalition that can arbitrarily veto your entire agenda and help the opposition party dismantle whatever semblances of democracy that still remain. the adults in the room understand this
— Rob (@robrousseau) June 6, 2021
The Affordable Care Act passed the Senate on strictly partisan lines yet became so popular that Joe Manchin based his reelection campaign in 2018 on a pledge to fight attempts to repeal the law.
— Brian Fallon (@brianefallon) June 6, 2021
An International Business Times staff reporter contributed to this report.