Sen. Joe Manchin III of West Virginia has rejected proposals by his fellow Democrats to include climate and energy provisions in a party-line spending bill, according to people briefed on the discussion.
The centrist Democrat informed Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, on Thursday that he “unequivocally” would support only a provision to lower prescription-drug prices and a two-year extension of subsidies for the Affordable Care Act.
Mr. Manchin was “explicit,” according to a source, that he will not get behind a budget reconciliation bill next month that includes spending on energy or climate or that raises taxes on the nation’s wealthiest citizens or largest companies, which are key elements pushed by his party.
Mr. Manchin’s hardline stance, which derailed much of President Biden’s scaled-down agenda, reverberated on and off Capitol Hill.
His decision was first reported by The Washington Post.
The support of all 50 Senate Democrats is needed to push through the spending-and-tax package. Mr. Manchin’s defection was a death blow for a climate victory, though drug pricing and Obamacare subsidies would still be a win.
At the core of Mr. Manchin’s opposition was fear that more government spending would only exacerbate 40-year-high inflation.
“Political headlines are of no value to the millions of Americans struggling to afford groceries and gas as inflation soars to 9.1%,” Manchin spokesperson Sam Runyon said in a statement. “Senator Manchin believes it’s time for leaders to put political agendas aside, reevaluate and adjust to the economic realities the country faces to avoid taking steps that add fuel to the inflation fire.”
Progressives and environmentalists quickly derided Mr. Manchin, who for more than a year has been involved in negotiations with either the Biden administration or congressional Democrats to strike a deal on energy and climate policies.
“Rage keeps me from tears. Resolve keeps me from despair. We will not allow a future of climate disaster,” tweeted Sen. Edward J. Markey, Massachusetts Democrat. “I believe in the power of the Green New Deal. The power of young people. I am with you. We will not give up.”
Tiernan Sittenfeld, senior vice president of government affairs for the League of Conservation Voters, accused Mr. Manchin of “choosing to stand with polluters.”
“There truly aren’t words for how appalled, outraged, and disappointed we are,” Ms. Sittenfeld said. “Senator Manchin had every opportunity to stand up for climate, jobs and justice, and save families money when they need it most, but instead he is choosing to stand with polluters. We urge him to reconsider – our children’s future depends on it.”
Mr. Manchin’s position means that rank-and-file Democrats will soon face a difficult choice on whether to go along with the significantly trimmed-down package that does not include their green priorities but that scores moderate wins on lower drug pricing and Obamacare subsidies.
A Democrat briefed on the conversations between Mr. Manchin and Mr. Schumer accused the West Virginia senator of flip-flopping, even after “major concessions” were made at his request.
Mr. Schumer tried to assuage Mr. Manchin’s spending concerns by committing to use half of all revenue from tax increases to deficit reduction, a request made by Mr. Manchin — both privately and publicly — to address inflation.
Mr. Schumer also offered to include permitting reform for oil and natural-gas drilling, a major policy that has been long sought after by Mr. Manchin, Republicans and the energy industry to cut bureaucratic red tape.
The package would have retained clean energy tax credits and despite the various climate concessions for Mr. Manchin, a source said, Democrats estimated it would have reduced carbon emissions by nearly 40% by 2030.
• Ramsey Touchberry can be reached at rtouchberry@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.