Manchin Bucks Dem Leadership on Spending

Freshman Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., has repeatedly rebelled against his party’s leadership since arriving in the Senate this year. On Tuesday he voiced support for strict spending caps, again breaking away from Democratic leaders, The Hill reports.

Sen. Joe Manchin (AP photo)

Manchin said in a speech in West Virginia that he will back the CAP Act, which calls for lower spending than President Barack Obama has proposed, and a balanced budget amendment.

The CAP Act, sponsored by Sens. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., and Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., would limit federal spending to 20.6 percent of GNP after 10 years.

Manchin indicated the two proposals could help bring a compromise between the two parties.

"In the coming weeks, I will work with my colleagues to improve these ideas and to ensure that we can agree on responsible cuts that do not threaten our commitments to seniors and our most vulnerable," he said.