We think we are all tired of the politics of the day, when party trumps statesmanship and doing what is right for the American people.
So let’s enjoy the events of the past week, when an overwhelming majority of members of the US House and Senate chose to do the right thing by passing the Fiscal Responsibility Act.
As we noted, this is not a perfect solution. There are parts of the bill that Democrats loathe and parts that make Republicans cringe. But it’s the best possible deal right now. And it’s great to see such strong support in both houses of Congress.
For those who ever wondered if this kind of bipartisanship was possible in this climate of political gerrymandering and gamesmanship for the next election—and trust us, we’ve wondered a lot—the vote in both chambers shows that it still there are legislators on the hill. who can set aside the extremes of their party to find a middle ground.
In the House, led by Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, 314 votes for the measure easily outnumbered 117 against. In the Senate, with support from both Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, the vote was 63-36.
A breakdown of West Virginia’s four votes (two in each chamber) finds what most of us expect.
Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito strongly supported the measure, as did Rep. Carol Miller. Manchin is the state’s only Democrat in a statewide position, while Capito and Miller are both Republicans.
All three have demonstrated the ability to put aside party goals to do what is right for West Virginians and the American people. That’s exactly what they did with the Fiscal Responsibility Act.
First, the bill provides a clear path to completion of the Mountain Valley Pipeline, thanks in large part to the continued support of Manchin and Capito. But credit, too, to Miller, who has joined them in championing the cause in his growing role in the House.
The pipeline, nearly 94 percent complete, has been tied up in regulatory purgatory for years and would be a major boost to the natural gas industry not only in West Virginia, but in Pennsylvania and Ohio. It also provides energy, economic and national security by helping the US become more energy independent.
Finally, the majority of Congress and President Biden have heard the urgent pleas of Manchin and Capito.
“We are grateful for the full support of the White House, as well as the strong leadership of Democratic and Republican lawmakers to recognize the Mountain Valley Pipeline as a critical energy infrastructure project,” said Natalie Cox, director of communications and corporate affairs for ‘Equitrans Midstream Corporation, in an email to WV News.
The West Virginia Oil and Gas Association also praised the efforts of Manchin, Capito and Miller.
“Our congressional delegation, led by Senator Joe Manchin, supported by Senator Shelley Moore Capito and Congresswoman Carol Miller, made West Virginians proud as the passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act ( FRA) is a historic moment for the nation and our state’s economy. This legislation not only preserves America’s financial position, but also provides initial permitting reforms and accelerates the completion of the Mountain Valley Pipeline, which it’s been left in a permitting nightmare,” said Charlie Burd, executive director of the West Virginia Oil and Gas Association.
The bill also keeps the potential for an economic crash at bay by ensuring that retired state residents will continue to receive Social Security and Medicare benefits.
And there are important steps to begin fighting the national deficit. We would agree with the naysayers that these are small steps and more needs done. But this is at least a move in the right direction that can be built upon.
While we commend Manchin, Capito and Miller, we remain disappointed with the performance of Representative Alex Mooney, who continually votes against positive bills for West Virginia to remain in favor of national groups like the Club for Growth and other outside interests . His constant refrain is tiresome: that this bill, and others in the past he’s opposed, simply aren’t good enough.
And if that compromise had not been reached, would it have been okay to see West Virginians suffer the effects of an economic crisis?
Fortunately, a bipartisan majority, led in part by West Virginia’s top three lawmakers, made it right for Americans and West Virginians.
