GOP lawmakers encourage Sen. Manchin to switch parties

December 22, 2021 carleyshaffer1 US 0

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 15: Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) walks out of a meeting with fellow Democratic senators for a break in the basement of the U.S. Capitol Building on December 15, 2021 in Washington, DC. The senators held the meeting to discuss senate rules with their staff members. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – DECEMBER 15: Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) walks out of a meeting with fellow Democratic senators for a break in the basement of the U.S. Capitol Building on December 15, 2021 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

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UPDATED 2:16 PM PT – Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin (W.Va.) has continued to garner attention over his moderate views, making him a wildcard vote in the 50-50 split Senate.

After announcing he wouldn’t be voting in favor of one of Joe Biden’s initial Build Back Better offerings, many have begun to wonder whether or not he’d consider switching parties. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said on Tuesday he would welcome Manchin to the other side of the aisle.

Other Republican lawmakers have also encouraged Manchin to switch parties, including New Jersey Rep. Jeff Van Drew who switched parties in late 2019.

“How I became a Republican says a lot about today’s Democratic Party,” said Van Drew. “I met with President Trump and he made me feel more comfortable and welcome in the Oval Office than Nancy Pelosi ever made me feel in her caucus.”

Former Democrat senator and presidential candidate, Joe Lieberman (I), previously spoke with One America News about the direction of the Democrat Party and how it relates to Manchin.

Back in October, Manchin said he discussed becoming an Independent to avoid “embarrassing” other Democrats. Since then, it seems as though Manchin has distanced himself from the Democrat Party in the wake of attacks from fellow party members, and the White House who accused him of betraying his commitments on Build Back Better.

GOP Sen. John Cornyn (Texas) said Tuesday, he also reached out to the West Virginia Democrat, encouraging him to join the Republican Party after receiving backlash over his opposition to Biden’s social spending plan. Cornyn said he hasn’t heard back from Manchin yet, but said it would be “the greatest Christmas present he can think of.”