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'Traitor': West Virginia Democrat Manchin Under Fire for Pro-Sessions Vote

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) is up for re-election in 2018. (Photo: Third Way Think Tank/flickr/cc)

'Traitor': West Virginia Democrat Manchin Under Fire for Pro-Sessions Vote

"Manchin, by voting Sessions, voted for race-based voter suppression. He's a traitor to his voters and the party."

Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia is under fire Thursday for his Wednesday evening vote to confirm Jeff Sessions as U.S. attorney general.

According toGuardian political reporter Ben Jacobs, Manchin "flash[ed Sessions] a thumbs up on his way in the chamber," before breaking with his party to cast the only Democratic vote in favor of Sessions' confirmation.

The social media outcry against the conservative Democrat, who is up for re-election in 2018, was swift:

A number of observers noted that Manchin's daughter, Heather Bresch, was chief executive of the pharmaceutical company Mylan when it dramatically hiked the price of EpiPens. The matter is currently being investigated by the Department of Justice, which Sessions will now helm.

Manchin was also among a handful of Democrats to vote "yes" on the confirmation of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

An Unconstitutional Rampage


Trump and Musk are on an unconstitutional rampage, aiming for virtually every corner of the federal government. These two right-wing billionaires are targeting nurses, scientists, teachers, daycare providers, judges, veterans, air traffic controllers, and nuclear safety inspectors. No one is safe. The food stamps program, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are next.

It’s an unprecedented disaster and a five-alarm fire, but there will be a reckoning. The people did not vote for this. The American people do not want this dystopian hellscape that hides behind claims of “efficiency.” Still, in reality, it is all a giveaway to corporate interests and the libertarian dreams of far-right oligarchs like Musk.

Common Dreams is playing a vital role by reporting day and night on this orgy of corruption and greed, as well as what everyday people can do to organize and fight back. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover issues the corporate media never will, but we can only continue with our readers’ support.

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