Democrats dropped Sen. Joe Manchin's proposed energy plan from a must-pass government funding bill after it became clear it lacked the necessary bipartisan support.
Manchin helped Democrats pass their climate and health law over the summer, angering many Republicans. They retaliated against the West Virginia moderate by not supporting his proposal.
Manchin was upset that members of the United States Senate were allowing politics to put the energy security of our nation at risk.
The Energy and Security Independence Act would speed up the federal permitting and approval process for fossil fuel and energy infrastructure projects. Manchin believes that faster permitting of such projects would lower energy prices.
In an interview with Fox News, Manchin said that this is a chance in a lifetime to have energy independence, for us to have security, and for us to take care of the American people.
The inflation reduction act was signed off on by Manchin in early August. The side deal was attached to a spending bill that would fund the government until December 16.
Republicans were not in agreement with the need for federal permitting reform of energy projects.
McConnell said it was hard to imagine a worse bargain for a senator if all he got was a promise from Democrats.
The bill was derided as the "Mountaineer kickback" by Sen. Roger Marshall in an interview with Fox Business News.
Kevin Cramer said that if Senator Manchin and his Democrat colleagues want to get to yes, it requires input from everyone.
The legislation was criticized by Democrats and key progressives, who warned that it would harm communities on the fronts of climate change.
At a time when climate change is threatening the very existence of our planet, why would anyone talk about increasing carbon emissions and fossil fuel production in the US? In a speech on the Senate floor, Sen.
Provisions in the bill requiring construction of the Mountain ValleyPipeline have faced legal challenges. Parts of Virginia would be on the path of the project.
I was not consulted as a deal was struck to approve it and thus not given an opportunity to share my constituency's deep concerns.
Allowing them to fundamentally change federal law would encourage other wealthy people and companies to do the same. He said he wouldn't participate in opening the door to abuse and corruption.
The passage of legislation funding the government will be possible after the tabling of Manchin's permitting proposal.
$12 billion in military aid for Ukraine is included in the bill, as well as financial support for Afghanistan refugees and monetary assistance for the victims of the Jackson, Mississippi, water crisis.
The article was first published on HuffPost.
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