Democrats see hope for a clean energy bill, but Manchin is adding a new hurdle: More funding for fos

[Polybius]

Source: CNN

Democrats see hope for a clean energy bill, but Manchin is adding a new hurdle: More funding for fossil fuels

(CNN)Congressional Democrats are cautiously optimistic to see Sen. Joe Manchin back at the table on the clean energy bill he previously declared "dead." The senator has been engaging with the White House on measures that could be included in a new package, and recently met with US Climate Envoy John Kerry over dinner in Paris.

But there's a new potential roadblock: Manchin now wants to include funding for more fossil fuel infrastructure in the US, in part because of the energy crisis in Europe.

"You have to," Manchin told CNN earlier this week. "You want to be Europe? You can't leave yourself vulnerable. The US has to be energy independent. You have to have infrastructure to do that, and you can't just shut them down or kill them with a thousand cuts."

Exactly how much money Manchin wants to dedicate to fossil fuels compared to investments in clean energy is so far unclear, as his conversations with the White House continue.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/01/politics/climate-clean-energy-bill-fossil-fuels-manchin/index.html

[exboyfil]

1. So you can destroy more of your beautiful state

Makes sense to me.

[Fiendish Thingy]

2. Can't congress pass the bill with Manchin's language, and then Biden issue a signing statement

That he won’t implement that section of the bill?

BushII issued signing statements declining to implement sections of bills all the time…

[Polybius]

4. That would require a line-item veto

It was ruled unconstitutional in 1996, and rightly so.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/supcourt/stories/wp062698.htm

[FBaggins]

7. Obama issued signing statements too

As did Trump and as has Biden (though only three that I know of so far).

The problem is that it can't be "I don't like this part". Signing statements are essentially the president's belief that one or more parts of a bill are unconstitutional and thus cannot be enforced (or trample on some executive power - which is much the same thing). It would be pretty difficult to pretend that a line funding some oil infrastructure project was unconstitutional.

[Fiendish Thingy]

10. Unless...a certain senator had a financial interest in that portion of the bill...

I can dream can’t I?

[FBaggins]

11. You may certainly dream

But a senator having a financial interest in part of a bill would have no impact on the constitutionality of the bill. It's the kind of thing you put in campaign ads, it isn't something that undoes the passage of the bill (let along individual segments of a bill).

[BlueJac]

3. I am so sick of Joe Manchin...

Always getting in the way of good legislation, that he must poison to get it passed! Total Bullshit!

[pandr32]

8. Fossil Fuels are his bread and butter

Until we firmly draw a line between investments and legislation he will continue to protect his interests.

[gab13by13]

5. Over 50 years ago our president, Nixon,

gave a speech proclaiming that the United States must not be held hostage by fossil fuel countries, we must wean ourselves from fossil fuels and become energy independent.

[elleng]

6. 'in part because of the energy crisis in Europe.' is his excuse.

[Warpy]

9. If that man isn't making enough money on fossil fuels NOW

with the Russians being shut out of the market, then he never will.

This kind of naked greed, in a Congress full of Republicans, is just mind boggling.

[ificandream]

12. Being energy independent doesn't mean more coal, Joe Boy.

Coal is dying. And the sooner the better for the health of the nation.

[TiberiusB]

13. He is, of course, lying

The U.S. is a net exporter of oil and gas. If oil wasn't simply dumped into the world market and held for domestic use, we would have enough. None of which helps alleviate the environmental damage being done.

Manchin's gonna Manchin. It's all theater.

[sakabatou]

14. Of course Manchin would help his own buddies.

[BlueIdaho]

15. There is no hope as long as ManChin obstructs our agenda.

Let’s work to increase our Senate majority so we can ignore Maserati Man.

[GB_RN]

16. If This Is what We Have To Do...

To get what we want right now, toss the dog his bone. Otherwise, we’ll get nothing done and the GOPQ will have a talking point for the election about how the Democrats did nothing for two years, regardless of how true it may/not have been. Public perception is the reality.

We can go back and pull that money later, if we have more (real) Democrats who are actually on board with the agenda.

[colorado_ufo]

17. Why do we subsidize fossil fuels that are making record profits?