According to federal election commission filings, Sen. Joe Manchin's political action committee received a spike in corporate contributions in the months leading up to his announcement that he would oppose President Joe Biden's social spending bill.
CNBC's Brian Schwartz and Jacob Pramuk reported that the Country Roads leadership PAC received 19 donations in November, its highest monthly count in the last half-year.
The maximum legal contribution that can be made to a political action committee is between $2,500 and $5,000. They came from many companies.
CNX Resources, a natural gas company, was one of the companies that donated to Country Roads.
In November and December, Country Roads raised more than $265,000
Around $160,000 was given by individuals. CNBC identified Jonathan Kott as an ex-communications adviser for Manchin and a lobbyist for ExxonMobil, who donated $2,500.
In November, Country Roads spent over $40,000 on food and beverages at The Greenbrier, a luxury resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
Manchin, a Democrat representing West Virginia, has been fighting against Biden's bill for months, which would vastly expand America's safety net and introduce measures to combat the climate emergency.
The bill was passed in the House but still needs the support of all 50 Senate Democrats to win over the Republicans.
The White House spent months trying to reach a deal with Manchin, who has raised concerns about the bill's impact on the US economy. According to a statement released on Sunday by White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, Biden and key officials understood several weeks ago that Manchin had agreed to back the bill and would negotiate its terms "in good faith."
On Sunday, Manchin said on Fox News that he would oppose the plan. The senator's position was suddenly and inexplicable reversed by the announcement.
The Recount is on December 19, 2021.
I can't vote to continue with this piece of legislation. Manchin said on Sunday that he couldn't get there.
Insider asked the press office of Sen. Joe Manchin if they would comment on the story.
