Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.) is “committed to doing everything” in his power to work across party lines, as he is opposing the confirmation of Neera Tanden to head the Office of Management and Budget.
The senator said he had a “real nice conversation” with her on Monday but is still opposed to her confirmation.
CNN’s Manu Raju asked Manchin why he is not in favor of Tanden but supported Richard Grenell, the former ambassador to Germany and acting director of national intelligence under Trump.
“The timing — more than anything,” Manchin replied.
Still, he said in the wake of the Jan. 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol he is “more committed to doing everything I can in my power” to work across party lines.
Manchin added, “In this moment of time, we are all in this together — we can’t have that type of animosity interfering in this country… She understands where I am.”
Manchin said that in the wake of Jan. 6, he is "more committed to doing everything I can in my power" to work across party lines. “In this moment of time, we are all in this together — we can't have that type of animosity interfering in this country…She understands where I am”
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) February 23, 2021
Manchin announced on Friday he would oppose Tanden’s confirmation, as IJR reported.
However, Biden said, “I think we’re gonna find the votes to get her confirmed.”
Tanden has received criticism for her previous comments on social media, including calling Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) “Moscow Mitch” and claiming “vampires have more heart than (Senator) Ted Cruz.”
Manchin said in a statement, “I believe her overtly partisan statements will have a toxic and detrimental impact on the important working relationship between members of Congress and the next director of the Office of Management and Budget.”
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki called Tanden on Friday “an accomplished policy expert who would be an excellent Budget Director.”