Manchin backs off permitting reform in spending bill

By Jeremy Dillon | 09/27/2022 05:34 PM EDT

The about-face paves the way for Congress to avoid a government shutdown at the end of the week.

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.).

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chair Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) at the Capitol. Francis Chung/E&E News

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chair Joe Manchin pulled his permitting reform package from a government spending bill Tuesday afternoon as it became clear the combined effort didn’t have enough votes to advance.

“A failed vote on something as critical as comprehensive permitting reform only serves to embolden leaders like [Russian President Vladimir] Putin who wish to see America fail,” the West Virginia Democrat said in a statement.

Manchin’s move clears the way for Congress to approve a continuing resolution to keep federal agencies running through Dec. 16. The idea is for lawmakers to approve a longer-term spending omnibus after the elections.

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The permitting legislation has divided Democrats over fears it would encourage more fossil fuel production. Republicans called Manchin’s bill lackluster, and many were hesitant to give the Democrat a win. Manchin accused them of seeking revenge for his support of the Inflation Reduction Act.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who made a deal with Manchin last month to vote on permitting reform, agreed to proceed with the spending legislation alone. It includes money for natural disasters and wildfires.

“Senate Republicans have made very clear they will block legislation to fund the government if it includes bipartisan permitting reform,” Schumer said, “because they’ve chosen to obstruct, instead of work in a bipartisan way to achieve something they’ve long claimed they’ve wanted to do.”

The permitting reform effort is not dead, Schumer said.

“Senator Manchin, myself and others will continue to have conversations about the best way to ensure responsible permitting reform is passed before the end of the year,” Schumer said on the Senate floor.

Reporter Jonathan Miller contributed.