Biden endorses Manchin's proposal to overhaul energy permitting process

Washington — President Biden is throwing his support behind Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin's proposal to overhaul the federal permitting process for energy projects ahead of an expected Senate vote on whether to include it in a massive defense spending bill.

Manchin was hesitant to back Mr. Biden's climate, health care and tax bill, known as the Inflation Reduction Act, earlier this year, but did so in exchange for a pledge from Senate leaders that they would hold a vote on his energy permitting overhaul. 

The Senate is set to vote on the National Defense Authorization Act, the annual military spending bill, before leaving for the Christmas holiday. Manchin's proposal includes speeding up environmental reviews and approving a natural gas pipeline in his home state of West Virginia, among other provisions.