John -
Senator Joe Manchin just announced that he will not support any funding for climate or energy programs – effectively crumbling any hope of passing necessary climate measures in Biden’s proposed spending bill.1
This is a major blow to our movement, but sadly we’re not surprised, John. Do you know why?
Senator Manchin has taken more money from the fossil fuel industry than any other politician in D.C. – and Big Oil has gotten its money’s worth a thousand times over.2
Enough is enough. The American people deserve accountability, which is why we’re calling on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to replace Joe Manchin as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
A Senator so clearly in the pocket of Big Oil cannot continue to lead the Senate Democrats’ climate policy.
On top of his campaign donations from fossil fuel companies, Joe Manchin owns millions of dollars in coal stocks and earns half a million dollars each year in dividends alone.3
Yet, as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, he is “responsible” for regulating the fossil fuel industry and has enormous power over hearings on key climate policy issues, developing bill proposals, and reporting legislative recommendations to the full Senate chamber.
At a time when global temperatures are continuing to rise and extreme weather events are getting worse every year, a coal baron should not be in charge of the United States Senate's climate policy. Period.
Together, we can ensure that Manchin faces the consequences for choosing greed over the future of our people and our planet.
Thank you for speaking out.
Team 350
1 - New York Times
2 - Rolling Stone
3 - Business Insider