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Joe Manchin is writing the Climate Change Bill: What could possibly go wrong?
Joe Manchin makes a lot of money from the fossil fuel industry. In this current 2021–2022 election season, he’s been the top recipient of campaign contributions from the following industries:
- Coal mining
- Natural gas transmission and distribution
- Oil & Gas
The New York Times has reported that Manchin is planning to “throw a lifeline” to the fossil fuel industry just as scientists are warning of cataclysmic consequences should we fail to address climate change in a serious way.
How is this even possible?
Well, he’s the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. As I’ve written before, committee appointments in DC are all about money. The current system rewards people who can bring in the bucks for their party’s campaign funds. The more coveted the appointment, the more money they need to raise. Manchin has that position because he knows how to raise money — never mind that it comes from the industry he’s supposed to be legislating.
According to Peter Schweizer, author of Extortion: How Politicians Extract Your Money, Buy Votes, and Line Their Own Pockets, whatever a politician does not give directly to the party can be used for personal…
