West Virginia Chamber Supports Sen. Manchin’s Decision To Vote “No” on Build Back Better Act
December 20, 2021
Charleston, W.Va. – The West Virginia Chamber of Commerce is coming out in strong support of Senator Joe Manchin’s declaration that he will not support the Build Back Better Act, standing in line with the majority of West Virginians.
Recent polling reveals a large majority of our state’s voters oppose certain aspects of this House-passed bill, and the West Virginia Chamber has identified the plan as a ‘tax, regulate and spend plan.’ Additionally, last week the West Virginia Chamber and U.S. Chamber conducted a tele-town hall with thousands of West Virginians who had the opportunity to speak and ask questions. Not one person who spoke wanted Build Back Better to pass.
West Virginia Chamber President Steve Roberts stated, “Senator Manchin has made the best possible decision for our state and nation. The bill specifically hurts our West Virginia energy production and pointedly raises taxes on natural gas which is vital to our well-being and is an important ingredient in many manufacturing processes. The bill favored out-of-state auto and truck manufacturers and hurt our own in state producers. It seriously undermined our childcare services and specifically negatively targeted the church-based providers who give us 53% of our nation’s childcare services.”
According to statements from Senator Joe Manchin, he had significant concerns about the bill further driving an inflationary spiral, which respected economists identified as a likely outcome if it were to pass. Of note, the Congressional Budget Office has stated this plan would add $3 Trillion to the federal debt over the next ten years.
Roberts continued, “Senator Manchin understands that inflation is ‘the cruelest tax.’ The Build Back Better bill adds to our nation’s debt by adding so much spending and many programs that would be costly and never go away.”
Last week the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce began an advocacy campaign to highlight the many problems contained in Build Back Better. This campaign is designed to help further educate the citizens of West Virginia about what is truly contained in this proposal.
Members of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce are your small business neighbors. Chamber members employ over half of our state’s workforce and are found in every county and region of our state. More information on the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce can be found at www.wvchamber.com.