Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s views on Obamacare will affect the lawmaker’s decision to confirm him.
“The Supreme Court will ultimately decide if nearly 800,000 West Virginians with pre-existing conditions will lose their healthcare,” Manchin said, referring to a case winding its way through the courts challenging the legality of Obamacare. “This decision will directly impact almost 40 percent of my state, so I’m very interested in his position on protecting West Virginians with pre-existing conditions.”
Manchin is up for re-election in a state that voted for President Trump by 42 points. Manchin, who voted for Trump’s last high court nominee Justice Neil Gorsuch, is considered one of a handful of Democrats who might back Kavanaugh.
“As I have always said, I believe the Senate should hold committee hearings, Senators should meet with him, we should debate his qualifications on the Senate floor, and cast whatever vote we believe he deserves,” said Manchin. “I look forward to meeting with Judge Kavanaugh, examining his rulings and making a determination of whether to provide my consent.”
