Biden Insists He and Manchin Will “Get Something Done,” Says He Doesn’t Hold a Grudge After Build Back Better Collapse

On 12/21/2021, President Biden insisted he and Senator Joe Manchin would “get something done” on the Build Back Better Act after Manchin torpedoed the legislation two days earlier. Biden said he did not hold a grudge and claimed Manchin had told progressives that Biden had not misled them — Manchin himself had. Meanwhile, Vice President Harris was asked on a radio show whether Joe Manchin or Joe Biden was “the real president,” and the Psaki briefing addressed the loss of the child tax credit for millions of families.

”Maybe I’m Not Irish Because I Don’t Hold a Grudge”

When asked whether Manchin had broken a commitment to him, Biden deflected with humor. “Some people think maybe I’m not Irish because I don’t hold a grudge. But I want to get things done,” Biden said. “I still think there’s a possibility of getting Build Back Better done.”

Biden said he had been told that Manchin spoke to the progressive caucus in the House and took personal responsibility. “Joe went on TV today and I’m told he was speaking to the liberal caucus in the House and said, ‘Joe Biden didn’t mislead you. I misled you,’” Biden recounted. It was unclear what meeting Biden was referring to.

Stock Market as Build Back Better Argument

Biden seized on a stock market dip following Manchin’s announcement to argue the bill was economically essential. “You saw what happened yesterday. All the talk about how my Build Back Better plan was going to increase inflation, going to cause these debts and all the like. What happened? Goldman Sachs and others said, if we don’t pass Build Back Better, we’re in trouble because it’s going to grow the economy,” Biden said. “Without it, we’re not going to grow. And what happened? Stock prices went way down.”

The Human Cost of Inflation

Biden made an emotional appeal about the impact of inflation on working families, specifically mentioning insulin costs. “We got 200,000 kids with type 1 diabetes. You know what it’s costing? It costs somewhere between 10 cents and $10 to come up with the formula. You know what it’s costing on average? $640 a month, up to $1,000 a month,” Biden said.

“What do you do if you’re a mom and a dad working minimum wage, busting your neck? You look at your kid and you know if you don’t get that drug for him — what happens? Maybe die,” Biden said. “You strip away all the dignity of a parent looking at their child. You have no house to borrow against, you have no savings. It’s wrong.”

Biden argued that “all the things in that bill are going to reduce prices and costs for middle class and working class people.”

Harris: “It’s Joe Biden. And I’m Vice President.”

Vice President Harris appeared on “The Breakfast Club” radio show where host Charlemagne tha God asked bluntly: “So who’s the real president of this country? Is it Joe Manchin or Joe Biden?”

Harris pushed back sharply. “Come on, Charlemagne. It’s Joe Biden,” she said. When the host said “I can’t tell,” Harris responded: “No, no, no, no, no. It’s Joe Biden. And don’t start talking like a Republican about asking whether or not he’s president. It’s Joe Biden. And I’m Vice President. My name is Kamala Harris.”

When asked whether she faced criticism because she was a Black woman, Harris deflected. “There is definitely healthy discussion that I will leave others to have about that, but I’m going to be focused on the work and I will not be distracted,” she said.

Child Tax Credit Expires

The White House faced questions about millions of Americans who would lose their monthly child tax credit payment starting in January. The credit, which had been credited with cutting child poverty in half, was set to expire without Build Back Better.

Psaki acknowledged the loss. “The President’s message is that his preference was to get Build Back Better passed in December so that people could have the child tax credit extended, a benefit that has contributed to cutting child poverty in half,” she said.

A reporter noted that Senator Mitt Romney had proposed a bipartisan pathway for the child tax credit. Psaki did not commit to engaging with the proposal.

New White House Pets

In a lighter moment, reporters noted the White House had announced Major Biden being rehomed, a new puppy named Commander, and a White House cat — all on one of the administration’s worst news days. “Believe it or not, Jackie, I don’t have time in my schedule to coordinate with the pet folks,” Psaki said. “But the pet was a present from the president’s brother. I met the pet this morning — Commander. He’s very adorable.”

Key Takeaways

Biden insisted he and Manchin would “get something done” and said he did not hold a grudge, despite Manchin killing Build Back Better two days earlier.
Biden claimed Manchin told the House progressive caucus: “Joe Biden didn’t mislead you. I misled you.”
He pointed to a stock market dip following Manchin’s announcement as evidence the bill was needed to grow the economy.
VP Harris pushed back on a radio host who asked whether Manchin or Biden was “the real president,” saying: “Don’t start talking like a Republican.”
The child tax credit was set to expire in January without Build Back Better, ending monthly payments that the White House said had cut child poverty in half.

Transcript Highlights

The following is transcribed from the video audio (unverified — AI-generated from audio).

Did Senator Manchin break his commitment to you? Senator Manchin — I’m going to get something done.
Some people think maybe I’m not Irish because I don’t hold a grudge. I want to get things done. I still think there’s a possibility of getting Build Back Better done.
Joe went on TV today and said, Joe Biden didn’t mislead you. I misled you.
Goldman Sachs and others said, if we don’t pass Build Back Better, we’re in trouble. Stock prices went way down.
So who’s the real president of this country? Is it Joe Manchin or Joe Biden? Come on, Charlemagne. It’s Joe Biden. And don’t start talking like a Republican.
You have no house to borrow against, you have no savings. It’s wrong. But all the things in that bill are going to reduce prices and costs for middle class and working class people.

Full transcript: 1090 words transcribed via Whisper AI.