Justice takes swipe at Manchin over Inflation Reduction Act
Gov. Jim Justice was critical of U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin over recent remarks about the Inflation Reduction Act. (Photo courtesy of the WV Governor’s Office)
CHARLESTON — On the eve of an announcement to challenge for the seat held by U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, Gov. Jim Justice took aim at West Virginia’s senior federal lawmaker over his support for the Inflation Reduction Act. “This was a bad, bad move,” said Justice, speaking Wednesday during his weekly administration briefing from the State Capitol Building. “It was a real, real screw-up.” Justice was asked about Manchin’s comments Monday night on the Fox News Channel stating he would work to repeal the $737 billion Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) over complaints about how the administration of President Joe Biden was implementing it. “Let me be very clear. If the administration does not honor what they said they would do and continue to liberalize what we are supposed to invest in over the next 10 years, I will do everything in my power to prevent that from happening,” Manchin said to host Sean Hannity. “And if they don’t change, then I would vote to repeal my own bill.” Justice accused Manchin, D-W.Va., of flip-flopping, having opposed the $1.75 trillion Build Back Better social spending bill in 2021, then working in the summer of 2022 on the far smaller IRA with Democratic leadership in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Biden signed the IRA last August with Manchin by his side. But Manchin has been openly critical of the Biden administration’s implementation of the IRA, culminating Monday night was his threat to overturn the nearly year-old law. Justice accused Manchin of caving to the Biden administration in the first place. “It’s law. There is no recourse hardly here not that I know of,” Justice said. “Without any question, there had to be … reasons for this complete flip-flop at the 11th hour Joe did that absolutely just sold West Virginia out. “Joe had to be completely out of his mind to go along with this,” Justice continued. “On top of that, it could very well cost tens of thousands of job opportunities in this state. There’s no question. Now to come out and say, ‘I’m going to move to repeal the vote.’ What’s going to happen then? I promise what will happen is right quick Biden just vetoes it.” Justice is set to announce his candidacy for U.S. Senate today at his Greenbrier Resort. The winner of the 2024 Republican primary would go on to face Manchin if he chooses to seek re-election. Republican candidates in the race include U.S. Rep. Alex Mooney, R-W.Va., and former coal miner Chris Rose. Steven Allen Adams can be reached at sadams@newsandsentinel.comLocal News
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