ASSOCIATED PRESS • January 8, 2022
President Joe Biden faces a steep path to achieve his ambitious goal of slashing planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030, amid legislative gridlock that has stalled a $2 trillion package of social and environmental initiatives. Biden’s Build Back Better plan, which contains $550 billion in spending and tax credits aimed at promoting clean energy, was sidetracked by Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia. Democrats would need all their votes in the 50-50 Senate to advance the measure over unanimous Republican opposition. Even without the legislation, Biden can pursue his climate agenda through rules and regulations. But those can be undone by subsequent presidents.