President Joe Biden is threatening to take "strong executive action" if the Senate doesn't tackle climate change and clean energy initiatives.
"I will not back down: the opportunity to create jobs and build a clean energy future is too important to relent," Biden said in a forceful statement.
The comment followed reports that Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin will not support economic measures if they include climate or energy provisions or boosts taxes on the rich or corporations.
An official briefed on Manchin's thinking said the senator has told Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer he will only support a package limited to curbing pharmaceutical prices and extending federal subsidies for buying health care coverage.
This is not the only point of frustration Democrats have with Manchin. The party has noted that Manchin opposes lifting the filibuster to codify abortion rights nationwide. President Joe Biden has urged the Senate to lift the filibuster following the reversal of Roe v. Wade.