Democrats divided: Progressives attack moderates as $3.5 trillion spending package stagnates

The future of the Democrats massive $3.5 trillion 'human infrastructure bill' is in extreme doubt, after Senator Joe Manchin urged his colleagues to hit "pause" on the bill amid America's botched withdrawal from Afghanistan and other domestic concerns.

Speaking at an event hosted by the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Senator Manchin said the surge in COVID cases and "runaway inflation" should be the Democrats' priorities.

He then penned an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal, writing Democrats have other priorities.

"Instead of rushing to spend trillions on new government programs and additional stimulus funding, Congress should hit a strategic pause on the budget-reconciliation legislation," he wrote in the op-ed.

"A pause is warranted because it will provide more clarity on the trajectory of the pandemic, and it will allow us to determine whether inflation is transitory or not."

The Democrats' $3.5 trillion bill includes some the party's biggest including free pre-K, expanding Medicare and combating climate change.

Видео Democrats divided: Progressives attack moderates as $3.5 trillion spending package stagnates канала Sky News Australia