Senator Joe Manchin has failed the test of leadership presented to him today.

His vote on the Kavanaugh nomination could save generations of West Virginians from decades of harm on issues ranging from reproductive freedom to LGBT rights to affordable healthcare to workers’ rights. Instead, he turned his back on his responsibility to the citizens of his state in favor of political expediency.

It is a sad moment not only for the people of West Virginia, but for everyone who cares about our country and its values.