08/11/2021

Divisions Emerge on Senate's $3.5 Trillion Spending Plan

Two Democratic senators continue to create conflict

Hours after the U.S. Senate approved a $3.5 trillion budget blueprint chock-full of investments in new domestic programs, new fissures emerged between the moderate and liberal wings of the Democratic Party over the size and scope of the spending.

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, a moderate Democrat representing the conservative-leaning state of West Virginia, issued a warning shortly after the Senate completed a marathon session early on Wednesday and passed the budget deal that would carry out President Joe Biden's top priorities.

Manchin, who often acts as a bridge between his party and the Republicans, voiced concerns about potentially "grave consequences" for the nation's debt as well as the country's ability to respond to other potential crises. That followed his colleague Senator Kyrsten Sinema's earlier warning that she does not support the $3.5 trillion price tag but would work "in good faith" to develop an alternative.

Please select this link to read the complete article from Reuters.