The senator told NBC’s “Meet the Press” that it will be determined by the choices of voters in individual states, not his own preferences. He added that people “are sick and tired of politics” and want their representatives in Washington to put country before party. “I’ve always taken the approach, whoever you send me, that’s your representative and I respect them and I respect the state for the people they send and I do my best to work with them and do the best for my country.” Manchin said. Manchin faces re-election in 2024 in a state where Donald Trump carried every county in the previous two presidential races, winning more than two-thirds of West Virginia voters. But while distancing himself from his fellow Democrats, Manchin also sought to decry the rise of partisanship. “We do not work for any party. We are not working for any political idealism,” he said, bemoaning “wrangling over political outcomes and who will be responsible for what” in an era of global tensions, war and economic uncertainty fueled by rising inflation. Manchin was booked to appear on five newscasts, the culmination of a high-profile week in which his compromise with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., revived a package of White House climate priorities, the health, taxes and deficit reduction. The West Virginia senator torpedoed a larger plan last December and previously played down expectations of a meaningful deal being reached. The surprise deal, though more modest than previous releases, appears to have helped turn Manchin from outcast to partner. On “Fox News Sunday,” he defended the 15 percent minimum tax on companies with profits of $1 billion or more as closing “loopholes,” rather than an outright tax increase. Manchin said the plan, the “Inflation Reduction Act,” would help manufacturing jobs, reduce deficits by $300 billion, lower prescription drug prices and speed up the licensing process for manufacturing energy. These are the kinds of priorities Republicans have supported in the past, Manchin said. “We’re doing what you asked,” Manchin said. “I would hope, and in normal times, this would be a bipartisan bill, but I understand the toxic atmosphere we’re in.” The Senate is split 50-50, with Vice President Kamala Harris holding the tie, giving Democrats control of the chamber. In the House, Democrats hold a 220-211 advantage, with four seats open. But in midterm elections, voters often reject the party that holds the White House, and this year, President Joe Biden’s unpopularity and rising inflation are creating headwinds for Democrats. Manchin demurred when asked on NBC if he hoped Democrats would retain their majority in Congress. “I think people are sick and tired of politics, I really do. I think they’re sick and tired of Democrats and Republicans fighting and arguing and holding legislation hostage because they didn’t get what they wanted,” he said, adding, “I’m not going to predict what’s going to happen. “
