Joe Manchin actually said...
I said me being a moderate centrist Democrat if that causes you a problem, let me know and I`d switched to be an independent but I`d still be caucusing with Democrats. That`s anything was ever discussed. No one accepted that.
Context
Joe Manchin clarifies his position on potentially switching to independent status while still caucusing with Democrats, in response to concerns about the social spending bill.
10/21/2021