Joe Manchin Claims Child Tax Credit Payments Would be Used to Buy Food

WASHINGTON, DC - Sen. Joe Manchin, D-WV defended his decision to not support the Build Back Better legislation today, citing his belief that parents would likely use child tax credit payments to buy food.

"Studies show that recipients of these disbursements regularly spend the money on food, which exacerbates the inflationary pressures currently hampering the economy. The more money everyone has to buy groceries, the more everybody has to pay," Manchin said.

Manchin also raised concerns that Americans, specifically West Virginians, would abuse paid leave time and use it to go hunting during deer season.

"Listen, I'm a hunter. I get it. It's more fun than working. Assuming the woods aren't full of guys playing hooky from the bleach factory," he remarked.

"I tried and tried, but I just can't support this bill," Manchin added. "I won't have my woods crowded with truants."

Manchin has since indicated that he'd consider an amended bill that included a work requirement for recipients of the child tax credit.

"You can rest assured that people who are not only poor but unemployed are most definitely going to spend that money on food," he said. "You can take that to the bank."