Democratic Senator Joe Manchin has privately warned the White House and congressional leaders that he can only support about $1 trillion of President Joe Biden's $3.5 trillion budget, a new report revealed on Wednesday.
The West Virginia senator is open to going up to $1.5 trillion, sources told Axios.
Manchin's line in the sand puts Democratic leaders in a tough spot.
The progressive wing of the party wanted a higher number to fund more social programs, climate initiatives and health policies so are unlikely to support a lower figure. And they could renew their threat not to support a bipartisan infrastructure bill - that funds traditional projects like roads, airports and bridges - if they don't get their $3.5 trillion.
The issue will come to a head in the next few weeks as Congressional committees meet to work out the details of what will be in the package - including its final price tag and how it will all be paid for.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi wouldn't answer a question on Tuesday on whether she'd entertain a lower number to appease Manchin and other moderates.
But Biden expressed confidence he would get Manchin's vote.
'Joe, at the end, has always been there. He's always been with me. I think we can work something out. I look forward to speaking with him,' Biden told reporters Tuesday on the South Lawn of the White House after returning from seeing the damage from Hurricane Ida in New York and New Jersey.
Manchin infuriated many Democrats last week when he called for a 'pause' on Biden's budget plans, saying he can't support them because of the price tag. He didn't publicly give a figure he'd support but did leave open the option of supporting a lower figure.
Biden, meanwhile, prides himself on his personal relationships with lawmakers after spending nearly 40 years in politics. It's unclear if the president would entertain a lower number to get moderates on board. In the 50-50 split Senate, Biden needs every Democrat to vote for his plan.
Pelosi, however, rebuffed Manchin's call to 'pause.'
'Obviously, I don't agree,' Pelosi told CNN Tuesday.
She said the legislation's price tag wouldn't go above the $3.5 trillion but shrugged off a question if she'd have to lower it to appease Manchin and fellow moderate Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema.
'Well you have to go talk to the Senate about that, but we're going to pay for as much of it as possible,' she said.
Democratic Senator Joe Manchin has privately warned that he can only support about $1 trillion of President
