The outgoing senator was an exemplar of everything that’s wrong with money in politics.
by Basav Sen, The Hill
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) announced recently that he won’t seek reelection in 2024, but he hasn’t ruled out a potential third-party presidential campaign.
For climate advocates especially, Manchin’s career embodied the incredibly corrosive influence of fossil fuel money in politics. But solving that problem will take a lot more than one senator stepping down.
The outgoing lawmaker reportedly received more fossil fuel industry campaign money in the last cycle than any other federal legislator — and is himself a coal millionaire. Worse still, he leveraged his perch as the chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to enact policies benefiting his corporate donors and himself.
Manchin was the architect of a provision in the Inflation Reduction Act requiring oil and gas leasing on public lands and waters as a condition for any renewable energy leasing. He championed provisions in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that subsidize risky, unproven technologies such as carbon capture and storage and hydrogen energy, which greenwash continued fossil fuel production and use.
Recent Posts
Nuclear Weapons at Any Price? Congress Should Say No
May 14, 2024
Take Action Now Costs are skyrocketing to modernize the U.S. nuclear arsenal. Instead of turning a blind eye, Congress should demand fiscal…
U.S. Army Officer Resigns Over ‘Unqualified’ Support For Israeli Slaughter In Gaza
May 14, 2024
Take Action Now Maj. Harrison Mann was working at the Defense Intelligence Agency By Dave DeCamp, Antiwar.com An Army officer working at the…
Michigan Wants Fossil Fuel Companies To Pay For Climate Change Damages
May 13, 2024
Take Action Now Harms include severe weather, crop failures and economic hits from lack of ice and snow. By Izzy Ross, Grist This coverage is…
This Is What You Get To Say On TV About Palestinians
May 13, 2024
Take Action Now “Let’s nuke Gaza” is just an interesting little talking point! By Jack Mirkinson, Discourse Blog Here is a…