Manchin responds to Ocasio-Cortez’s tweet: “Continue to divide, divide, divide”

His. Joe manchinJoe ManchinSunday Shows Sneak Peek: Biden Issues New Vaccine Warrants; House committee takes stock of reconciliation bill .5T Fall of ATF candidate is only gun control advocates’ latest defeat (DW.Va.) responded to criticism from the representative on Sunday. Alexandria Ocasio-CortezAlexandria Ocasio-CortezOcasio-Cortez Raises Over 0K For Texas Manchin Pro-Choice Groups, Sanders To Face Biden Spending Schedule (DN.Y.)

During an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Manchin denied having had such meetings with Exxon or other fossil fuel lobbyists.

“Absolutely not. Absolutely not,” Manchin told the host. Dana bashDana BashThe Hill’s Morning Report – Featured by Facebook – Questions on Biden’s Agenda; unemployment benefits to end Supreme Court ruling on Texas abortion law rock lawmakers Klobuchar highlights Texas abortion law by discussing Breyer’s potential retirement MORE. “I keep my door open for everyone. This is totally wrong.

He also said that “superlatives” such as the one used by Ocasio-Cortez are “just awful” and “keep dividing, dividing, dividing”.

“I don’t know this young woman very well. I really don’t. I met her once, I think, between the sets here. But that’s all. So we had no conversation. All she does is speculate and say things because she wants to, ”he added.

Ocasio-Cortez earlier this month tweeted in response to an editorial in which Manchin said he would not support a $ 3.5 trillion spending bill, claiming the senator “has weekly meetings with Exxon and is one of the many senators who give lobbyists their pens to write so-called ‘bipartisan’ bills on fossil fuels. “

“It kills people. Our people. At least 12 o’clock last night. Fed up with this “bipartite” corruption which masquerades as lucid moderation, ”added the progressive legislator.

Manchin has weekly meetings with Exxon and is one of many senators who give lobbyists their pens to write so-called “bipartisan” bills on fossil fuels.

It kills people. Our people. At least 12 last night. Tired of this “bipartite” corruption which masquerades as lucid moderation. https://t.co/KW8w7HUhvT

– Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) September 2, 2021

Critics of Ocasio-Cortez were sparked by Manchin’s opposition at a price of $ 3.5 trillion for the Democrats’ reconciliation spending bill, which needs full caucus support to pass in the equally divided Senate.

Democrats are looking to push forward the package – which includes a number of President BidenJoe Biden FBI releases first 9/11 document following Biden executive order to transfer Afghan pilots to US base after fleeing to Uzbekistan: NATO WSJ chief said alliance had signed the American withdrawal from Afghanistan PLUSlegislative priorities in education, health care and child care – through reconciliation, which will allow the party to counter Republican obstruction by requiring only a simple majority vote.

With this strategy, however, all Senate Democrats must stand united.

Pressed Sunday by Bash on criticism from a number of Democrats that Manchin opposes the bill because it is “bought and paid for by corporate donors,” the senator said he was against the legislation “because it didn’t make sense.”

“You are entitled to your own facts – I mean, your own opinions. You just don’t have the right to create your own facts to back it up. And that’s exactly what they are doing, ”Manchin said.

Manchin had previously called for a “pause” in deliberations on the reconciliation bill, which many of his colleagues in the upper house are opposed to.

An Exxon Mobil lobbyist was caught in secret images released in June, claiming he speaks with Manchin’s office every week.

“Joe Manchin, I speak to his office every week,” lobbyist Keith McCoy said, according to footage from Greenpeace affiliate Unearthed.

McCoy, on the tape, said the senator is a “kingmaker,” adding that “on the Democratic side, we are looking for moderates on these issues” in their attempts to thwart policies that could negatively impact them. activities of the company, according to RADIO NATIONALE PUBLIQUE.

Manchin did not respond to comments at the time.

Exxon Mobil chief executive officer Darren Woods then issued a statement condemning McCoy’s comments, “including comments regarding interactions with elected officials.”

He said the comments “do not in any way represent the company’s position on various issues, including climate policy and our strong commitment that carbon pricing is important in tackling climate change,” adding that the company was “shocked by these talks”.

The Hill has reached out to Ocasio-Cortez’s office to comment on Manchin’s final remarks.

Updated at 4.30 p.m.