Dear Friend,

Yesterday, Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia announced to Senate leadership that he would not support a reconciliation bill that includes climate change provisions, leaving the historic climate deal one vote shy of passage.

There truly aren’t words for how appalled, outraged, and furious we are. Senator Manchin had every opportunity to stand up for climate, jobs and justice, and save families money when they need it most.

He, along with 50 Republican senators, instead chose to stand with polluters.

I’m reaching out today to let you know: we are not giving up. The League of Conservation Voters has been fighting for people and the planet for more than 50 years – and we’re not backing down now. This is what we are built for.

In the coming days and weeks, we’re going to be sharing updates and opportunities with you for how we can still win progress on climate change. We know the path forward will have three core elements:

1. Congress still has until September 30 to fix this and pass a climate bill. If Manchin is as concerned about inflation and energy security as he says he is, he will need to return to the negotiating table or vote on the floor for clean energy incentives that will help families on their energy costs when they come up. We must keep the pressure on the Senate.


2. The White House and Biden administration have massive amounts of power to curb climate pollution — they must use it boldly and swiftly. That includes blocking all new onshore and offshore drilling leases, requiring carbon capture from major emitters, strict limits on air pollution, and so much more. Biden has the power to act — but that will only happen if the environmental movement makes it happen.


3. Manchin’s announcement underscored an unfortunate truth: we are one vote short of a functional pro-climate majority in the Senate. The 2022 midterm elections are even more important than they were yesterday. We cannot leave any opportunity on the table. We must win every competitive race.

This is not the end of the road — and what happens next is going to depend on the environmental movement, and we must channel our outrage into action. Please, make an urgent donation today.

Thank you, friend — I am grateful for the opportunity to fight alongside you every day.

Onward,

Gene Karpinski
President, League of Conservation Voters