Sen. Joe Manchin, the moderate Democrat from West Virginia, stands like a lone bulwark of sanity amidst a sea of Democratic spending excess in Washington, D.C. As President Joe Biden stumps in the western states to push his $3.5 trillion “Build Back Better” spending package, Manchin is holding out for a far more modest spending bill.

Manchin said he would support $1 trillion or $1.5 trillion in the spending bill, but not the $3.5 trillion in the current bill.

Only in Washington could $1 trillion be considered “modest.” But there it is. And Manchin has the clout to shut down spending bill. With the Senate split at 50-50, Democrats need every vote from their caucus, along with Vice President Kamala Harris’ tie-breaker, to pass this bill. Without Manchin, the bill goes nowhere.

The Build Back Better act is a budget bill that promises something for just about everyone. It would fund child care, education, free college, transportation, address health coverage, retirement issues and so much more.

It’s hard to imagine that in a $3.5 trillion spending proposal there isn’t a hint of waste or excess.

Manchin’s willingness to stand up to the caucus leaders and demand some moderation makes him a budget warrior worthy of respect.