Climate defenders celebrate as Manchin’s deal defeated a third time

The U.S. climate movement and people on the frontlines of the planetary crisis celebrated Thursday after the U.S. Senate declined to add Sen. Joe Manchin’s fossil fuel-friendly permitting bill to a military spending package.

While the $858 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) was ultimately approved, the West Virginia Democrat’s amendment fell short of the 60 votes needed to include his Building American Energy Security Act.

The 47-47 vote Thursday evening came after two earlier defeats: The bill was left out of the NDAA draft last week; and in September, Manchin asked Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)—who agreed to push through permitting reforms if Manchin voted for the Inflation Reduction Act—to remove a previous version from stopgap funding legislation.

“Defeated for the third time this year, this zombie bill would have fast-tracked dangerous fossil fuel and mining projects that would undercut the positive impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act,” explained Chelsea Hodgkins, Oxfam America’s climate policy adviser. “Sen. Manchin’s proposal would do nothing to address the real barriers to renewable energy development, which include fully resourcing underfunded agencies and investing in community-supported renewable systems.”

“Continued reliance on fossil fuels is making communities in the U.S. sick and driving climate change impacts in communities around the world,” she stressed. “Sen. Manchin’s dirty deal had absolutely no place in a must-pass bill like the National Defense Authorization Act; it is unpopular and dangerous.”

“The people have triumphed over the polluters once again,” said People vs. Fossil Fuels, a national coalition of over 1,200 organizations. “Sen. Manchin’s dirty deal was a direct assault on frontline communities and the environmental laws that protect our air, water, climate, and public health.”

“But we know this fight isn’t over: The fossil fuel industry and the politicians in their pocket will continue to try and rubber-stamp more dangerous fossil fuel projects,” the coalition continued. “Wherever they go, we’ll be there to stop them.”

Ahead of the vote, Biden on Thursday reiterated his support for Manchin’s proposal, provoking widespread outrage.

“The dirty deal directly contradicts President Biden’s climate plan and his rhetoric about environmental justice,” People vs. Fossil Fuels said after the vote. “President Biden needs to listen to communities, not Big Oil CEOs, and use his power to reject all fossil fuel projects and declare a climate emergency, and we will continue to demand that he protects our public interest and follows through.”

Originally published at Commondreams.org.