Brady Knox of the Washington Examiner documents cases of a high-profile West Virginia senator disagreeing with his Democratic allies.
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) is the Senate’s most famous centrist, often being the crucial factor in throwing a wrench in the Democrats’ plans. His refusal to always vote along party lines has drawn the ire of liberal Democrats and the sympathy of Republicans.
His habit of breaking with the Democrats, and his ability to reach across the aisle, has helped to fuel speculation that he may run for president in 2024. …
… In one of his most recent major splits with Democrats, Manchin signaled that he would vote with Republicans to rescind a major new crime bill, which would reduce the sentence of some violent crimes.
“I don’t support it. I mean, I want to put people away, I don’t want to let them out,” Manchin said of the new law in an appearance on CNN. “I haven’t been briefed on it, but what I know about it, I would vote to rescind it.”
His siding with Republicans on the issue all but ensured that the law would pass through the Senate. Coupled with President Joe Biden’s pledge to sign the bill, the decision by the Council of the District of Columbia is all but dead in the water. …
… In February, Manchin and 48 Republican senators introduced a measure that would cancel a Biden administration rule that allows fiduciaries to weigh the environmental, social, and corporate governance factors, commonly known as ESG, when making investment decisions for retirees’ 401(k) accounts. He derided the decision by the Biden administration as “irresponsible” and warned that it could jeopardize citizens’ retirement savings. …
… Manchin partnered with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) to block an effort by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, introduced in January, that would ban gas stoves in homes.