Joe Manchin has voted alongside all Senate Republicans to approve a resolution to nullify Biden’s changes that made environmental rules for major projects more strict. On the 50 to 47 vote, the Senate has passed the Congressional Review Act Resolution which overturns the April ruling from the White House that requires federal agencies to consider indirect and cumulative environmental impacts under National Environmental Policy Act reviews.

In the House, the resolution is being seen as unlikely to pass due to the slight advantage Democrats hold. Also, it is said that President Biden will be vetoing the measure if it makes it to his desk. However, regardless of what occurs in the House or even at the desk of the president, the gesture is symbolic coming from Joe Manchin as he has looked to advance legislation in the coming months that would ease permitting requirements to make it easier for corporations to build pipelines and clean energy infrastructure projects.

Joe Manchin received a commitment from the Democratic leaders on the legislation under a deal that revived the climate reconciliation bill just last week. Across the aisle, Republicans have warned that they were unlikely to cooperate with Joe Manchin on permitting unless he were to vote in favor of their CRA resolution.

“It would be a lack of demonstration of seriousness if my resolution goes down on a party-line vote.”

Dan Sullivan, the lead sponsor of the resolution, said.

"I hope every Republican that voted for this legislation today will support the bipartisan permitting reform bill when it comes before the Senate in September.”

Joe Manchin said as he claimed the resolution was a “step in the right direction.”