How the Landmark Climate Law Hobbled Joe Manchin

The West Virginian Senator’s Complicated Relationship with the Bill

Joe Manchin, the Democratic senator from West Virginia, has been a vocal critic of President Biden’s climate change agenda. In July 2022, Manchin dealt a blow to the president’s Build Back Better plan, a sweeping piece of legislation that included billions of dollars for clean energy and climate change initiatives. Manchin said he could not support the bill because of concerns about its impact on inflation and the national debt.

Manchin’s opposition to the Build Back Better plan was a major setback for Biden’s climate agenda. The bill was seen as a key piece of legislation in the fight against climate change, and its failure to pass was a major disappointment for environmentalists.

Manchin’s decision to oppose the Build Back Better plan was based on a number of factors. He has long been a supporter of the coal industry, which is a major source of jobs in West Virginia. He has also expressed concerns about the cost of the bill and its potential impact on inflation.

In addition to his concerns about the bill’s impact on the coal industry and the national debt, Manchin has also said that he believes the government should not be picking winners and losers in the energy sector. He has argued that the private sector is better equipped to develop and deploy new energy technologies.

Manchin’s opposition to the Build Back Better plan has drawn criticism from environmentalists and climate activists. They argue that the bill was a necessary step to address the climate crisis, and that Manchin’s opposition is a major setback for the fight against climate change.

However, other critics argue the bill does not go far enough to address the climate crisis or that it is too expensive and would hurt the economy.

For example, a recent study by the Rhodium Group found that the Build Back Better plan would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 7.3% below 2005 levels by 2030. This is a significant reduction, but it is still short of the 50-52% reduction that scientists say is necessary to avoid the worst effects of climate change.

Additionally, the Build Back Better plan has a price tag of $1.75 trillion. This is a significant investment, and it is unclear whether it is worth the cost. Some critics argue that the money would be better spent on other priorities, such as education or healthcare.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to support the Build Back Better plan is a complex one. There are valid arguments to be made on both sides of the issue. It is important to weigh the costs and benefits of the bill carefully before making a decision.

The Future of Climate Policy in the US

The future of climate policy in the US is uncertain. The Build Back Better plan was a major setback for Biden’s climate agenda, but it is not clear what the next steps will be. It is possible that Congress will pass a smaller, more targeted climate bill in the future. It is also possible that the Biden administration will take executive action to address climate change.

No matter what happens, it is clear that the US needs to take action to address climate change. The climate crisis is a serious threat to our planet and our way of life. We need to take bold action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a clean energy future.

The Build Back Better plan was a good first step, but it is not enough. We need to do more to address the climate crisis. The future of our planet depends on it.

Conclusion

The Build Back Better plan was a major piece of legislation that would have made significant investments in clean energy and climate change initiatives. However, the bill failed to pass due to opposition from Senator Joe Manchin. Manchin’s opposition was based on a number of factors, including concerns about the bill’s impact on the coal industry, the national debt, and the role of government in the energy sector.

The failure of the Build Back Better plan is a major setback for Biden’s climate agenda. It is unclear what the next steps will be, but it is clear that the US needs to take action to address climate change. The climate crisis is a serious threat to our planet and our way of life. We need to take bold action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a clean energy future.