Key facts
- Manchin believes a bipartisan deal on permitting reform has a greater than 50% chance of becoming law.
- The proposed legislation would streamline building the electric grid and environmental reviews.
- Manchin suggested Donald Trump would sign the bill if passed by Congress.
Former Senator Joe Manchin expressed cautious optimism that Congress could pass legislation to overhaul the federal permitting process for energy projects by year's end. In a recent interview, Manchin stated he believes there is "well past 50%" chance the deal will be signed into law. He referred to an agreement reached between his former colleagues and the White House that aims to facilitate the construction of the nation's electric grid, prevent administrations from blocking specific projects, and establish less stringent timelines for environmental reviews. Manchin suggested that President Donald Trump would likely sign the bill, given the bipartisan efforts involved. He also indicated that Republican lawmakers would be able to articulate the importance of the legislation to Trump. Manchin, a Democrat-turned-independent from West Virginia, has long advocated for "permitting reform." While previously a Republican priority, it has evolved into a shared bipartisan goal. Earlier, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had expressed skepticism about the possibility of passing such legislation in the current Congress, though Manchin downplayed partisan divisions.