WASHINGTON — The path to averting a partial government shutdown by Friday night just became a little easier to see, after Senate Democrats said they'd drop a contentious environmental policy rider that had drawn critiques from the right and left.
Sen. Joe Manchin III, D-W.Va., agreed Tuesday to remove his energy infrastructure permitting proposal from the short-term spending bill the chamber will take a procedural vote on later in the day. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer said on the floor he accepted Manchin's offer and will offer a new version without the permitting language.
That concession ends days of uncertainty and likely ensures Democrats will have the 60 votes needed to end debate on the motion to proceed to the legislative vehicle that's being used to carry the stopgap funding measure.
