Jim Justice sees backing Trump as his Senate mandate

Don't expect to see Sen. Jim Justice start his time in Washington as a key swing vote, like his predecessor from West Virginia.

WASHINGTON — West Virginia’s new Republican senator, Jim Justice, is already unmissable in the Capitol — standing 6-feet-7, moving around the complex using a bright red mobility scooter and never far from his 62-pound bulldog, Babydog. 

But don’t expect him to start his time in Washington as a key swing vote like his predecessor.

Justice replaced Democratic-turned-independent Sen. Joe Manchin, who was one of the most influential — and unpredictable — members of the Senate. Manchin regularly frustrated his party by breaking with Democrats over key priorities, but he was also a bipartisan dealmaker who helped broker significant legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act, which appropriated funding for projects in his state.

So far, Justice is more inclined to follow the lead of his party leader, who, as he did, carried West Virginia by 40-plus points in November.

“At the end of the day,” Justice said, President Donald Trump “will make the right decision.”

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/jim-justice-sees-backing-trump-senate-mandate-rcna189464

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