Top Dem senator seeks to eliminate provision approving Joe Manchin’s project from debt limit bill.

Sen. Tim Kaine Takes on Sen. Joe Manchin Over Debt Ceiling Deal

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) is not backing down from his fight against a provision in the debt ceiling deal that was agreed on by President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and backed by Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV). The provision focuses on completing the embattled Mountain Valley Pipeline, a project that has faced several delays since it was supported by the West Virginia senator.

Debt Ceiling Deal Includes Completion of Embattled Mountain Valley Pipeline

Kaine’s office announced on Monday that the senator would file an amendment to revoke federal permits for the natural gas project from the debt ceiling legislation. A spokesperson said Kaine is “extremely disappointed by the provision,” an NBC reporter said on Monday. The former vice presidential nominee’s team said the MVP agreement is “completely unrelated to the debt ceiling matter.”

Manchin, who introduced legislation to complete the natural gas pipeline last summer, thanked McCarthy after the provision was included in the deal. However, he snubbed the White House in his initial reaction.

“I am pleased Speaker McCarthy and his leadership team see the tremendous value in completing the MVP to increase domestic energy production and drive down costs across America and especially in WV,” Manchin tweeted Sunday evening.

Kaine has strongly opposed the 303-mile gas pipeline running through regions of Virginia and West Virginia in the past. “The pipeline runs through Virginia for 100 miles and takes property from landowners, but I was not consulted as a deal was struck to approve it and thus not given an opportunity to share my constituents’ deep concerns,” the Virginia senator said last year in a press release.

Despite Manchin’s support, Kaine is not giving up his fight against the pipeline. “I will vote against the motion to proceed to this deal and urge my colleagues to do the same,” Kaine said in last year’s statement.

Stay tuned for updates on this ongoing battle.

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