An overhaul of natural gas pipeline permitting by Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) is set to be included in a congressional spending package this week, but some House Democrats and now Senate Republicans are balking, with the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) caught in the crosshairs.

MVP

Stopgap spending legislation, known as a continuing resolution (CR), is likely to be unveiled as Congress returns to work this week to prevent a government shutdown at month’s end. The 2022 fiscal year ends Sept. 30, and the spending measure would give lawmakers time to finalize 2023 spending. 

Manchin, who chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, voted in support of President Biden’s landmark Inflation Reduction Act. To secure his vote, the president, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY)...