Sen. Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia) has addressed rumors that he might be leaving the Democratic party, calling them “bull—-.”
“I have no control of rumors, guys. No control of rumors,” Manchin said.
Manchin has been in a battle with the rest of his party over President Joe Biden‘s $3.5 trillion reconciliation package. He wants to lower the amount spent by a significant amount.
Due to Manchin’s disapproval, the bill is unlikely to pass without major change now being negotiated, making his vote a crucial one.
The rumors of Manchin’s depart from the Democratic party began due to his disagreements with Biden and other Democrats. Mother Jones reported that he was allegedly planning on threatening to leave the party, which many people believed he would use as leverage in negations.
The publication claimed he was planning to switch from Democrat to Independent, which would still allow him to vote in the Democratic primary in his home state of West Virginia.
Manchin has repeatedly denied the rumors, seemingly getting annoyed at reporters for asking him about it multiple times.
“I can’t control rumors, and it’s bull—-, bull—- spelled with b, u, l, l, capital b!” he declared when asked about the rumors on his way back to his office on Wednesday.
Manchin had previously addressed similar rumors in July on Fox News, stating that he had no plans to leave the party and that he wants to continue focusing on policy rather than partisan politics.
“If switching a party or whether you have a ‘D’ by your name or an ‘R’ by your name changes who you are as a person, then you’re in the wrong profession and it’s all about you and not about the oath you take to the office, the oath to the Constitution, to protect and defend,” he said at the time.
