http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/157661-sen-manchin-backs-two-bipartisan-fiscal-reformsFreshman Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) on Tuesday announced his support for strict spending caps that put him at odds with his party's leadership and President Obama.
Manchin told an audience in South Charleston, W.Va. that he would endorse the "CAP Act," which sets a tighter spending limit than the president's budget calls for, as well as a balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution.
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"Today, I will be announcing my support for two proposals that I believe provide a good starting point and framework from which we can move forward," he said, according to excerpts of his remarks released by his office. "But let me be also clear — one of my top priorities will be to make sure that whatever final debt fix emerges, it will keep our promises to our seniors by protecting Social Security and Medicare. I believe we can do this and cut our debt and deficits over time."
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"In the coming weeks, I will work with my colleagues to improve these ideas and to ensure that we can agree on responsible cuts that do not threaten our commitments to seniors and our most vulnerable," he said.