Manchin refused to allow McConnell to sink the bipartisan bill.
Manchin said he wouldn't walk away if anyone threatened him or held him hostage.
Democrats are hoping to get a deal done with Manchin to revive Biden's agenda.
The top Senate Republican leader threatened to sink the bipartisan bill, but Sen. Joe Manchin said he wouldn't be deterred by the threat.
If I can help the country, I will not walk away. Shame on them if they want to play politics.
Manchin said that McConnell was wrong to threaten to sink the bipartisan USICA legislation, which would boost federal investment in emerging technologies. The ultimatum was tied to recent Democratic attempts to revive their economic agenda.
McConnell said on the Senate floor on Monday that party-line scheming would crowd that out. "Our side cannot agree to rush through bipartisan talks in order to meet an artificial timetable so our Democrat colleagues can pass a party-line tax hike."
As Democrats make progress towards a deal with Manchin on a scaled-down climate and tax spending package, McConnell threatened to wreck the China bill. Democrats accused McConnell of siding with China.
The bipartisan bill is vital for America's long-term national security, according to a Schumer spokesman.
The Republicans and Democrats spent months negotiating on the bill to shore up the domestic Semiconductor industry and other sectors in an effort to reduce US dependence on Chinese imports.
Manchin continues to negotiate with Schumer on a bill that focuses on prescription drug reforms, reducing the deficit, and a blend of climate and energy incentives.
Business Insider has an article on it.
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