Manchin warns against overuse of budget tool Democrats hope to use to pass Biden's agenda

Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin made his opposition to frequent use of the budget reconciliation process clear Wednesday evening in a Washington Post op-ed, sending a warning to Democrats who hope to use it to pass President Joe Biden's legislative priorities.

"If the filibuster is eliminated or budget reconciliation becomes the norm, a new and dangerous precedent will be set to pass sweeping, partisan legislation that changes the direction of our nation every time there is a change in political control. The consequences will be profound -- our nation may never see stable governing again," the West Virginia lawmaker wrote. His message comes after the Senate parliamentarian ruled earlier this week that Democrats may amend the budget resolution they used for their Covid-19 relief bill and attach another set of reconciliation instructions to it, according to two sources familiar with the matter.