West Virginia – A coal miners union in West Virginia is calling on Senator Joe Manchin to rethink his refusal to support the Build Back Better Act (BBB).

The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), which represents coal miners in Joe Manchin's home state, called on the senator on Monday to change his mind on the social spending bill.

The day before, Manchin, an honorary member of the UMWA, took to Fox News to announce that he "cannot vote" for the BBB.

Without his approval, the social spending bill appears doomed to fail.

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In explaining his reason for effectively killing the bill, Manchin told Fox News host Bret Baier, "When you have these things coming at you the way they are right now, I’ve always said this, Bret, if I can’t go home to the people of West Virginia, I can’t vote for it."

But supporters of the BBB pointed to data showing that the policies included in the bill are popular with a majority of West Virginians, whether they identify as Republicans or Democrats.

The UMWA confirmed their support as well in a Monday statement, especially for provisions that would extend a fee on coal companies, which is used to fund benefits for coal miners with black lung disease.

The current fee is set to be cut in half at the end of this year.

They also expressed support for tax provisions that would encourage manufacturers to set up shop in coalfields that would give jobs to thousands of out-of-work miners.

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Thirdly, they noted that the BBB would penalize employers for denying workers the right to organize on the job.

"For those and other reasons, we are disappointed that the bill will not pass. We urge Senator Manchin to revisit his opposition to this legislation and work with his colleagues to pass something that will help keep coal miners working, and have a meaningful impact on our members, their families, and their communities," the statement concluded.

Born into a coal mining family, Manchin went on to found a profitable coal brokerage firm Enersystems, now run by his son Joseph. The Democrat has worked closely with the UMWA throughout his years in politics.