Sep 12, 2021 - Politics & Policy

Sunday shows: Manchin vs. Sanders

Alayna Treene

Sens. Joe Manchin and Bernie Sanders face off — Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). Photos: Drew Angerer; Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

Dana Bash's back-to-back interviews with Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Budget Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) this morning on CNN tell you everything you need to know about how far apart these key Democrats remain on the $3.5 trillion reconciliation package and infrastructure spending.

Remember: In a 50-50 Senate, Democrats must be unanimous for their plan to pass. But Manchin wants to spend no more than $1.5 trillion.

What they're saying:

Manchin: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer "will not have my vote on $3.5 [trillion] and Chuck knows this. … What’s the urgency?”

Sanders: $1.5 trillion "is absolutely not acceptable to me. I don't think it's acceptable to the president, to the American people, or to the overwhelming majority of the people in the Democratic caucus."

Watch the interviews here and here.

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Sunday shows: Manchin vs. Sanders

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