Romney jokes of political run with Manchin during hearing

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) on Wednesday joked during a House hearing that he and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) are announcing a political run amid speculation that Manchin could launch a third-party presidential bid.

The two senators appeared at a House Budget Committee hearing on Wednesday to discuss their proposed legislation to stabilize and decrease the national debt.

Just as Romney began speaking during the hearing, a man in the audience spoke in protest, “No Social Security cuts, no commission to cut Social Security,” to which Romney asked, “How about to raise taxes? How about to raise taxes for Social Security? Are you against that, too?”

Manchin and Romney appeared to then laugh, and Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) suspended the meeting for a few moments before Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Penn.), a top Democrat on the Budget Committee, interjected, telling Romney, “It must be refreshing to know that … you still animate some folks on the left, as well.”

“Exactly… Well, I’m actually here to announce our candidacy…” Romney responded, pointing to Manchin beside him, prompting laughs from those in the room.

Manchin, who is considered one of the most moderate Democrats in the upper chamber, and Romney both are not running for reelection in 2024. In making his announcement in September, Romney said it is time for a new generation of political leaders to step in.

Meanwhile, Manchin, who announced his retirement from the Senate earlier this month, said he will instead travel the country to determine “an interest in creating a movement to mobilize the middle and bring Americans together.”

His comments were perceived by some as a nod to his potential national ambitions. The West Virginia Democrat has flirted with a 2024 presidential run with No Labels, a centrist group that has advocated for a third-party candidate as polling points to a likely rematch between President Biden and former President Trump in the general election.

Manchin and Romney’s proposed legislation, titled the Fiscal Stability Act, would establish a bicameral fiscal commission in charge of finding ways to stabilize and decrease the national debt, which is now over $33.6 trillion.