Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) has often been praised for his bipartisanship on Capitol Hill. He's one of few Democrats who have reached across the aisle and voted with Republicans in recent years. For instance, he voted with the GOP on a pro-life bill that would ban abortions after 20 weeks, and he voted in favor of President Trump's HHS secretary nominee Alex Azar, who was sworn in this week.
Not to mention, he appeared to stand up and applaud more than any other Democrat during Trump's State of the Union address Tuesday night.
Yet, Vice President Mike Pence had no patience for Manchin's "no" vote on tax reform last month. He shared his disappointment with Manchin's constituents during a speech in White Sulphur Springs, W.V., where the GOP is holding their annual retreat.
.@Sen_JoeManchin voted no to give working families more of your hard-earned money. Joe voted no on tax cuts. Joe voted no time and again on the policies that West Virginia needs. #JoeVotedNo pic.twitter.com/uV7SdAa2q8
— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) January 31, 2018
In his speech, Pence listed several instances in addition to tax reform in which Manchin let down West Virginia - including his votes on Obamacare, Planned Parenthood, and his remarks on border security.
"Sen. Joe Manchin has voted no time and again on the policies West Virginia needs," Pence said.
Manchin was shocked by the vice president's pointed words.
I am shocked that after the @VP worked for almost a year in a divisive & partisan way to take healthcare away from almost 200k WVians, bankrupt our hospitals & push tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans & huge corporations that he would come to #WV & continue partisan attacks.
— Senator Joe Manchin (@Sen_JoeManchin) January 31, 2018
The VP’s comments are exactly why Washington Sucks. I’m disappointed in his comments but will continue to work to make Washington work so #WV & our country work.
— Senator Joe Manchin (@Sen_JoeManchin) January 31, 2018
Manchin is up for re-election this year in a state which gives Trump his highest approval rating.
