Manchin's Reward for Backing Democrats' Spending Bill Could Be Tossed

Sponsored his party's spending bill shortly before his Democratic Party leaders promised to expedite permits for crucial energy infrastructure; however, the arrangement easily could fall apart as little protections exist to make permitting reform a reality.

President Joe Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer promised Manchin that they would pass speeded-up permitting for pipeline projects, particularly for the Mountain Valley Pipeline in West Virginia, in addition to their $369-billion climate and tax package, Reuters reported Monday.

Despite the party's promises permitting reform will not be easy to institute, and even if the Democrats cooperate, the companion bill still will face numerous legal and legislative challenges.

"Even if you have the permits or guarantee that federal permitting is going to happen, green activists can still sue and there's nothing to stop them from keeping everything stuck in court," Milloy said.

Manchin defended his support of the bill and touted the advancement of "Commonsense" permitting reform that would protect American energy security in a press release last week.

In a press conference Tuesday, emphasized examining whether the exact text of the bill would enable a final vote on permitting reform.

"I've never seen anybody here that can actually guarantee a final vote on permitting reform," she said of the Democrats' alleged deal.
 

https://www.dailysignal.com/2022/08/03/manchins-reward-for-backing-democrats-spending-bill-easily-could-be-thrown-out/