To understand how to run the gauntlet needed to change federal law that governs environmental permits, and the hurdles that must be overcome in doing so, look to a vote in December.
Forty-seven senators voted in favor of attaching an environmental permitting bill to the annual defense authorization language, which became law, and 47 voted against it, leaving the permitting legislation out of the defense bill. Most Democrats, Maine independent Angus King and seven Republicans voted for the legislation. Most Republicans and 10 members of the Democratic conference, including Vermont independent Bernie Sanders, voted against it.
“What crisis will have to occur to spur bipartisan action?” Sen. Joe Manchin III, D-W.Va., who offered the bill, said after the tie vote. “As frustrating as the political games of Washington are, I will not give up.”
