CHARLESTON / HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – After the screening on Thursday night, WSAZ’s exclusive interview with Vice President Kamala Harris drew national attention.
On Friday morning, the White House answered questions about the vice president’s appearance at two stations – one in Arizona and one on WSAZ.
The interview even took US Senator Joe Manchin, DW.Va., by surprise. On Friday morning, Manchin visited one of West Virginia’s COVID-19 vaccination clinics. His visit comes just a day after the vice president spoke with Amanda Barren of WSAZ about the “American Rescue Plan” (ARP) proposal.
“I saw [the interview], I couldn’t believe it. Nobody called me [about it]”Said Manchin. “We will try to find a bipartisan way forward, but we need to work together. This is not a way of working together. “
During a press conference at the White House, press secretary Jen Psaki answered questions on a range of topics, including the vice president’s appearance on two local television stations on Thursday.
“We want to present the case to the American people across the country (…) This is a way of doing just that,” said Psaki.
Psaki was then asked by a reporter why Arizona and West Virginia were chosen specifically.
“I think [the vice president will] make a series of additional regional calls and regional interviews, as well as team members, ”replied Psaki.
If approved, the ARP would give checks for $ 1,400 to virtually all Americans. Senator Manchin believes that payments, however, must be targeted.
“We met [Pres. Biden’s] economic team and they put what they wanted. We said, ‘Show us just the numbers’. Because people need to know. We want to help everyone who needs help, ”said Manchin. “But if a person is earning $ 250,000 or $ 300,000, I don’t think he has as much need as a person who earns $ 40,000 or $ 50,000. Let’s aim for it. “
Two different approaches from the same political party.
Thursday, the vice president told Amanda Barren of WSAZ that she and President Joe Biden ran as Democrats, but “we are Americans and we will lead like Americans”. Vice President Harris added, “I’m here in West Virginia talking to you because everyone is important, whether you voted for us or not.”
Manchin says Congress has invested $ 4.8 trillion in less than a year. This is more than the entire US budget, according to Sen Manchin.
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