AOC Calls Out Conservative Dems After Manchin Demands Dems 'Pick One' Social Policy for Infrastructure

Congressional Democrats continue to wrangle over the specifics of a $3.5 trillion (over 10 years) reconciliation bill that needs every Democratic vote to pass the Senate. Its failure to pass all but ensures the defeat in the House of its bipartisan sister infrastructure bill, which was passed by the Senate earlier this year.

The reconciliation bill boasts a number of highly popular policies such as universal childcare, free community college, child tax credits, climate policy improvements, and other initiatives.

One of the $3.5 trillion bill's most notorious holdouts is conservative Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia, who claims the bill would veer the United States into an "entitlement" society.

Manchin—a multimillionaire whose campaigns rely on donations from big oil companies—doubled down on his bulwark against relief for everyday Americans. Axios reports that Manchin is demanding Democrats choose only one social policy (paid family leave, expanded child tax credit, or childcare subsidies) to be included in the bill in order to gain his support.

Firebrand progressive Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, a major supporter of the reconciliation bill, lambasted Manchin for his constant deference to special interests in light of his stinginess when it comes to transforming the lives of everyday Americans.

Ocasio-Cortez called the Senator out on Twitter.

People largely agreed.

She's not the only one giving Manchin heat for the position.