Welcome to Thursdays Overnight Energy & EnvironmentThe latest news from the environment and energy sector. Subscribe here:thehill.com/newsletter-signup.
Today, we are looking at Sen. Joe Manchin
Joe ManchinBriahna Joy Gray – Last-minute push for voter legislation felt ‘perfomative. Biden spending plan talks would begin ‘from scratch.’ Manchin, Collins leading talks about overhauling election law and protecting election officials.s (D.W.Va.), the most recent comments on Build Back Better President Biden
Joe BidenPredictions that Democrats will fail are not guarantees of failure in the midterms. A review of President Biden’s first-year on border policy Vilsack charges China with violating Trump-era trade agreements MOREThe Senate has stalled a climate and social spending bill. There is also a push by Congress to end solar tariffs.
Rachel Frazin was the Hill’s editor and Zack Budryk was its reporter. Send us tips to [email protected] or [email protected] Follow us on twitter:@RachelFrazinAnd@BudrykZack.
Lets jump in.
Manchin demands a ‘clean’ slate in talks
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), said Thursday that talks about President Biden’s broad climate and social spending plan would be “starting at scratch,” putting an end to any hopes of a quick revival.
Manchin stated to reporters that he would start with a blank sheet of paper and restart the process. He also said that he does not have any talks with the White House.
Manchin was asked if his $1.8 trillion offer to Trump’s White House was still available. He replied that it wasn’t and that Democrats would “just be starting over.”
Manchin’s remarks come as top Democrats and the White House prepare to focus their attention back on the Build Back Better Act.
Late last year, the Senate rejected the bill after Manchin, in a Fox News interview, said that he couldn’t support the House version of the bill, which was approximately $2 trillion. His comments Thursday highlighted how far apart Democrats stand on any deal.
They also follow Biden’s Wednesday comments in which he indicated that the spending plan would need to be cut.
Let’s talk about policy:Biden expressed optimism about the possibility that lawmakers could retain up to $500 billion in energy- and environment spending.
These comments prompted Sen. Ed Markey
Ed MarkeyOvernight Healthcare White House increases mask availability Senate Democrats demand an investigation into reported price gouging in COVID-19 testing. Biden’s nomination for FDA passes through key Senate committee MORE (D-Mass.) (D-Mass.)
Markey said that climate and clean-energy provisions in Build Back better have been largely worked out and financed.
He said that Congress has the ability to pass vital, intersectional, justice focused climate action. This would take steps to dramatically reduce dangerous emissions, promote environmental justice and create millions of union jobs across the country.
Continue reading about Manchins’ latest comments.
A bipartisan group calls for an end to solar tariffs
Six Democrats and two Republicans urged President Biden to stop imposing Trump-era tariffs upon imported solar panels.
According to senators, the Section 201 tariffs that expire Feb. 6 have cost over 62,000 jobs in clean-energy in America, according to the Solar Energies Industry Association.
[W]Senators wrote that they believe that extending tariffs will only increase U.S. consumer costs, hurt American jobs in solar energy, and artificially stymie American deployment of other viable solar projects.Sens. are the legislators who signed this letter. Jacky Rosen
Jacklyn (Jacky), Sheryl RoseEight senators ask Biden for a reversal on Trump-era Solar Tariffs Overnight Health care Biden faces pressure from Democrats regarding COVID-19 The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – Democrats see victory in a voter rights defeat MORE (D-Nev.). Jerry Moran
Gerald (Jerry), MoranEight senators call Biden to reverse course regarding Trump-era solar tariffs Senate Republicans ask Biden for a waiver of the vaccine mandate for truckers crossing Canadian borders. Lawmakers remember Bob Dole: “Bona fide American hero” MORE (R-Kan.), Brian Schatz
Brian Emanuel Schatz Eight senators ask Biden for a reversal on Trump-era solar tariffs The Hill’s 12:30 Report : Biden’s agenda teeters towards collapse The Hill’s Morning Report : Biden takes it on its chin MORE (D-Hawaii), Thom Tillis
Thomas (Thom), Roland TillisSenate panel approves bill that blocks tech giants favoring their own products Eight senators ask Biden for a reversal on Trump-era tariffs Sinema loses hope for filibuster Reform (R-N.C.), Sheldon Whitehouse
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrats call on Biden administration for easier entry to US for at risk Afghans Eight senators ask Biden not to reverse course on Trump’s-era solar tariffs Infrastructure spending shouldn’t facilitate sawing down of our National Forests (D-R.I.), Martin Heinrich
Martin Trevor HeinrichEight Senators ask Biden for a reversal on Trump-era Solar Tariffs Defense bill creates new Office to Study UFOs This Thanksgiving, forget the political food fights and instead talk UFOs (D-N.M.), Dianne Feinstein
Dianne Emiel FeinsteinSenate panel supports bill blocking tech giants favoring their own products Eight senators ask Biden for a reversal on Trump-era tariffs Lawmakers from both parties will launch a new push on Violence Against Women Act(D-Calif. Michael Bennet
Michael Farrand BennetEight senators ask Biden to reverse course on Trump-era solar tariffs Biden addresses Coloradans after wildfires: ‘Incredible courage and resolve’ Equilibrium/Sustainability Mars may start ‘terraforming itself’ MORE (D-Colo.).
However, the Biden administration has expressed some support for solar tariffs and last week said it would appeal against a decision to remove some of these tariffs.
Learn more about the push by clicking here
LAWMAKERS PRACTICE CLIMATE RESILIENCE
Thursday’s proposed legislation was released by a bipartisan group of legislators. It aims to help the country prepare for climate change impacts such as sea level rise and worsening weather events.
The legislation would require that the federal government develop a National Climate Adaptation and Ressilience Strategy. This strategy would assess the country’s vulnerability and provide a plan for responding to them.
It would also create the position of Chief Resilience officer in the White House, to direct preparation efforts and lead strategy development. There would also be interagency groups dedicated and a council non-federal partnerships drawn from frontline communities.
Sens is at the forefront of this effort. Lisa Murkowski
Lisa Ann MurkowskiOssoff and Collins clash about her past support of voting rights legislation Senate GOP blocks the election bill, setting up filibuster faceoff Schumer prepares to face-off with Manchin, Sinema MORE(R-Alaska). Chris Coons
Chris Andrew CoonsSchumer opts for modest rules reform, after pushing back from moderates Sinema, Manchin join GOP filibuster change to voting bill Democrats’ filibuster strategy unravels MORE (D-Del.), as well as Reps. Scott Peters
Scott H. PetersDesperate Dems support cutting the Biden bill in size Biden points out drug prices in call to Senate social spending vote Overnight Healthcare Presented by Emergent Biosolutions Pfizer. US strike COVID-19 pill deal(D-Calif.), Mara Salazar(R-Fla.).
Learn more about the legislation here.
WHAT WAS READING
- Winter gas bill from hell: Oklahomans will have to pay $1.4bn for snowstorm-related expenses (Floodlight And Oklahoma Watch)
- Leading EU lawmaker calls for airlines to pay their CO2 emissions earlier (Reuters)
- More than 450 scientists have called on PR and advertising firms to end their relationships with fossil fuel clients.The Washington Post reports
ICYMI
This concludes today. Check out The HillsEnergy & Environment PageGet the latest news and coverage. You can also seeYouTomorrow.
