Manchin says he won’t back down on $1.5 trillion spending cap

Sen. Joe Manchin said Wednesday he won’t back down on a $1.5 trillion reconciliation bill after suggesting Tuesday that he might be willing to support a slightly higher price tag if a compromise was reached with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party.

“Let me make it very clear: There’s been a lot of speculation about what number on reconciliation,” Manchin told reporters. “My number’s been 1.5. I’ve been very clear.”