Manchin Breaks With White House Over Electric Vehicle Credits

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) is making a major break with the Biden administration over a provision of the Inflation Reduction Act, in part regarding the implementation of tax credits for electric cars.

The White House introduced regulations that allowed companies to buy minerals from China used to manufacture electric vehicle batteries.

Manchin released a statement calling for Americans to “stop this now— just follow the law.”

Manchin reiterated that the White House has repeatedly interpreted the Inflation Reduction Act in very different ways than he intended.

Manchin wrote that “it is horrific that the Administration continues to ignore the purpose of the law which is to bring manufacturing back to America and ensure we have reliable and secure supply chains.”

The senator said that the White House gave a “pathetic excuse to spend more taxpayers as quickly as possible” and to give more economic control to the Chinese Communist Party.

The news follows Manhcin’s recent criticism of the Biden White House’s handling of the inflation act, including a recent op-ed in the Wall Street Journal.

Manchin was among the senators crucial to the bill’s passage. However, Manchin argued that the act did not have a significant chance of reducing inflation. In particular, the West Virginia Democrat said that the administration was restricting oil and natural gas drilling.

The senator said that the White House was allowing “unelected ideologues, bureaucrats, and appointees” to “violate and subvert the law to advance a partisan agenda that ignores both energy and fiscal security.”

While Manchin criticized his former allies in the Biden administration, conservative critics believed that the argument was too little, too late. They believe that Manchin’s crucial role in passing the inflation act means that he bears much of the responsibility for what has happened since.

Manchin may be in political peril come 2024. The senator and former West Virginia governor may face a challenge from popular incumbent Gov. Jim Justice (R-WV). If Manchin seeks another term in office, the race will likely be one of the most-watched on election night.