Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Democratic-New York Democrat, had harsh words for right-wingSen. Joe Manchin (D. West Virginia), on Tuesday, after the coal-funded multimillionaireLast week, he stated that he would be against congressional action on climate. Locking is possibleU.S. greenhouse gases emissions for at most the next few years, if possible, decades.
“Manchin has paused all action for the United States to act on climate For the past four years, so I don’t think he has any authority to speak on climate for the rest of our term here,” Ocasio-Cortez told The Independent.
She also suggested that President Joe Biden declare an emergency in regard to the climate crisis. the White House has hintedHe may. If Biden decides to do so, he can use the declaration to take meaningful actions likeAdvocates believe that stopping offshore drilling is a crucial step in combating the climate crises. Ocasio-Cortez called making an emergency declaration “an essential step,” and added that Biden should clarify exactly what he would use the declaration for.
Manchin’s climate obstruction has drawn ire from climate experts and progressive lawmakers, who warn that Manchin has thrown away crucial time that the country — and the world — needs to prevent the most devastating effects of the climate crisis.
Indeed, Manchin’s announcement comes as wildfire season is lengtheningIn the West, hundreds of people are dying due a major heatwave in the U.K., and large swaths of the world — including His own hometown in West Virginia — are facing extreme floods. Experts predict that weather catastrophes will only get worse as the U.S. becomes more advanced. the rest of the worldAre slated to They have not met their climate-related goalsBy miles Climate feedback loopsThe deadly consequences of fossil fuels are quickly multiplying.
Progressives say that Manchin’s obstruction shouldn’t come without consequences. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minnesota) SundayThe senator should be removed as chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. This committee oversees energy legislation. Public landsThe U.S.
“I don’t know why Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer still allows for Manchin to be the chair of the energy committee,” Omar said on MSNBC. “I don’t know why our party hasn’t decided to make the case and pressure Manchin to do the right thing.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) Also, condemned Manchin’s actions over the weekend, pointing out that Manchin is loyal only to Big Oil and other rich campaign donors. “This is a guy who is a major recipient of fossil fuel money, a guy who has received campaign contributions from 25 Republican billionaires,” he said. “In my humble opinion, Manchin represents the very wealthiest people in this country — not working families in West Virginia or America.”
Manchin has ignored criticisms telling reporters on Tuesday in response to questions about Biden’s potential emergency declaration that people should wait and “see what the Congress does. The Congress needs to act.” Of course, Manchin himself is Congress’s most significant roadblock to taking action, along with the GOP.
Climate advocates are also calling on BidenTo block a permit to build the Mountain Valley Pipeline which would carry fracked Gas, through West Virginia and Virginia. Manchin has advocated forThe project, which experts have estimated will lead to about an extra 90 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere each year — the equivalent of 26 coal plants or 19 million cars.
Even before Manchin’s announcement, Biden was reportedly weighingApproval of the pipeline and allowing for There are many to choose fromTo win the senator’s favor, drill on public lands. majorly frustratingClimate advocates said that approving fossil fuel project approval would undermine the very climate proposals the White House was trying secure funding for.
