John Oliver Takes Manchin and Sinema to Task for Blocking Biden Agenda

John Oliver didn't spend too long on the drama in Washington, D.C. last night, but he couldn't resist taking a few shots at Democratic Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, the moderates holding up Joe Biden's Build Back Better Act. The Last Week Tonight host ripped the senators for obstructing a bill that "would make this country a better place," and he blasted them for refusing to actually engage with constituents on the matter.

Oliver was particularly harsh of Sinema, who was asked by a reporter what she would say to progressives who are frustrated they don't know where you are." Sinema replied by saying that she's "in the Senate" and "right in front of the elevator," a quip that didn't impress Oliver. "Oh, fuck right off," said the HBO host. "It's about as maddening as when you tell your dad, 'I'm hungry,' and he says, 'Nice to meet you, Hungry, I'm Dad.' Yeah, you technically got me there, and you certainly have a playful way with words, but I've got a fucking problem you are supposed to solve!"

"Look, this bill could benefit people's lives," he concluded. "And if you are blocking it, you owe people more than vague platitudes shouted from the back of the boat [like Manchin] and a cutesy 'I'm in the Senate' comment. Because if these two keep these shit up, their window for saying 'I'm in the Senate' may rapidly be closing."

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver airs Sundays at 11:00 PM ET on HBO.

Claire Spellberg Lustig is the Senior Editor at Primetimer and a scholar of The View. Follow her on Twitter at @c_spellberg.