WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin said Friday he expects to know within “three or four months” if Congress is going to change for the better with Republicans in charge. And if it doesn’t, Manchin may return to West Virginia to run for another office.
During a conference call with reporters reacting to President Barack Obama’s immigration reform plan, Manchin said it’s no secret how frustrated he has become with the workings in Washington. He said he’ll soon have to make a decision whether to stay or not.
“If this is a dead-end street and these people here are just doomed on total chaos, do I have an option of seeing if the people would think about me coming back to West Virginia? I would look at that but I’m really committed to making this work, I’ve got to be honest with you,” Manchin said.
It’s not the first time Manchin has mentioned a possible return to West Virginia to run for governor in 2016. He was elected to two four-year terms as governor but left in the middle of second term after being elected senator following the death of longtime U.S. Sen. Robert Byrd in 2010.
Manchin was asked if he’s set a deadline on making a decision next year on whether to run for governor in 2016.
“We still have the same leaders—Harry (Reid) and Mitch (McConnell)—I hope both of them have learned a lesson. If they haven’t I think it will show pretty quickly, in the first three or four months,” Manchin said. “I’ll be able to tell at that time if it’s going to be the ‘same old, same old’, just a lot of rhetoric, worried about themselves and not the country and thinking if I can make a better contribution in public service somewhere else, maybe back home.”
On immigration reform, the senator said he disagreed with President Obama’s timing of the announcement. Manchin said he should have given Republicans a deadline to come up with a bill before moving on his own.
“I didn’t think that was the way to do it or the way to bring people together, especially after the election results,” Manchin said.
The senator added some of the President’s plan looks a lot like the immigration reform bill the Senate passed and a year and a half ago and the House has refused to take up. He said President Obama has been upset with Republican House leaders because of the inaction.
“The bottom line is I’m saying, ‘Mr. President, move off of that. Give enough time now, today’s a new day, the people voted a couple weeks ago. They voted for change. Give this change a chance to work. That’s all I’m saying,” Manchin said.
Manchin voted against making Sen. Harry Reid minority leader in the new Congress. He restated Friday the new GOP majority in the Senate needs someone like himself to vote with them and he will if he feels it’s best for the country.