You had to know this would happen even before the “Inflation Reduction Act”, ie, Build Back Better ver. 4, was passed, right? Joe apparently didn’t, or he didn’t care. And some Democrats were trying to kill the side deal immediately after the IRA (great acronym, since it blows things up) was passed. Joe basically sold out West Virginia, and the voting citizens may well remember this when Joe next comes up for election
Democrats clash over Manchin side deal, raising shutdown risk
Liberal lawmakers are pressing Democratic leaders in the House to not include a side deal undercutting environmental reviews worked out with Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) in a short-term measure funding the government.
House Natural Resources Chairman Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.) is circulating a letter asking leadership to separate the Manchin deal out from a continuing resolution that would temporarily avert a government shutdown.
“Don’t attach it to a budget, to a CR, must-pass legislation and therefore take this essential Republican agenda and have Democrats pass it,” he told The Hill earlier this month.
The issue is expected to come to a head in September, when lawmakers return from recess, as Democrats try to secure funding for the government and prevent a shutdown.
How are you feeling about your agreement now, Joe? It wouldn’t be surprising in the least if enough Democrats sign on to spike the Manchin deal
The deal was part of the agreement Manchin made with Democratic leaders as they won his support for their now-passed climate, tax and health care bill.
Under the deal with Manchin, worked out by President Biden, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), the trio agreed “to pass comprehensive permitting reform legislation before the end of this fiscal year,” which ends on October 1. The provisions are designed to expedite energy and infrastructure projects subject to environmental reviews.
That sets up a potential shutdown crisis if progressives block a funding bill over the inclusion of the permitting reform language and Democrats can’t find the votes elsewhere.
I don’t think it will just be Progressives blocking due to inclusion of the deal. House leadership may simply pull it early.
Grijalva acknowledged that it would likely be difficult for many members to vote against funding the government.
“This is not trying to torpedo anything. This is saying the [continuing resolution] and the budget is critical, yes, but let’s do this other one where everybody is accountable,” he said.
Yes, it will torpedo it. Because if they move it to a separate vote, it won’t get one. Will Republicans be willing to have a “clean” vote on it if they retake the House and Senate? Doubtful. They may have a vote on it, as they would support it, with a bill that kills off parts of the IRA, such as the IRS funding.
Democratic leaders would face a difficult choice between passing a clean continuing resolution and potentially angering Manchin; convincing their own members to shed their environmental concerns and back the Manchin side deal; or leaning on GOP votes to prevent a shutdown.
Do they care about angering Manchin? No.
Read: Surprise: Democrats Are Trying To Kill Manchin’s Side Deal »