The Senate passed a resolution on Thursday to overturn the changes that tightened environmental rules for major projects. The Senate voted 50-47 to overturn a White House rule that requires federal agencies to consider indirect and cumulative environmental impacts. President Joe Biden is expected to veto the resolution if it makes it to his desk, as Democrats hold a slightly larger majority in the House. The symbolic gesture by Manchin comes as the West Virginia Democrat has sought to advance legislation in the coming months that would ease permitting requirements to make it easier to build clean energy infrastructure projects such as transmission lines that can take up to a decade to build. Manchin secured a commitment from Democrats leaders on that legislation as a result of the revived climate reconciliation bill.
Republicans warned Manchin that they would not work with him if he did not vote for their resolution.
If the resolution goes down on a party-line vote, it would be a lack of seriousness, according to the lead sponsor.
The resolution was a step in the right direction, according to Manchin. He put the onus back on Republicans, saying, "I hope every Republican that voted for this legislation today will support the bipartisan permitting reform bill when it goes before the Senate in September."
A second rule is expected to be unveiled by Biden later this year.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
