Debt limit DEAl would approve West Virginia pipeline, curtail environmental law, Manchin Lifeline

Included in the 99-page deal to lift the debt ceiling is the approval of the Mountain Valley Pipeline, a pipeline that would carry fuel from West Virginia to Virginia and has become a pet project of Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.).

Manchin, who would face reelection next year in ruby-red West Virginia if he decides to run, touted the inclusion of the pipeline as something he helped to secure.

“I am proud to have fought for this critical project and to have secured the bipartisan support necessary to get it across the finish line,” he said in a written statement.

Regarding the work requirement for SNAP benefits.

From 7 U.S. Code § 2015 - Eligibility disqualifications

The work requirement is currently is as follows:

“(2) Work requirement<
Subject to the other provisions of this subsection, no individual shall be eligible to participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program as a member of any household if, during the preceding 36-month period, the individual received supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits for not less than 3 months (consecutive or otherwise) during which the individual did not—

(A)work 20 hours or more per week, averaged monthly;

(B)participate in and comply with the requirements of a work program for 20 hours or more per week, as determined by the State agency;

(C)participate in and comply with the requirements of a program under section 2029 of this title or a comparable program established by a State or political subdivision of a State; or

(D)receive benefits pursuant to paragraph (3), (4), (5), or (6).

and the Exceptions are currently as follows:

(3) Exception
Paragraph (2) shall not apply to an individual if the individual is—

(A)under 18 or over 50 years of age;

(B)medically certified as physically or mentally unfit for employment;

(C)a parent or other member of a household with responsibility for a dependent child;

(D)otherwise exempt under subsection (d)(2); or

(E)a pregnant woman.

Under the bill currently up for consideration, the Exceptions would be as follows:

19 (1) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting

20 the following:

21 ‘‘(A)(i) under 18 years of age; or

22 ‘‘(ii) in —

23 ‘‘(I) fiscal year 2023 over 51 years of

24 age;

1 ‘‘(II) fiscal year 2024 over 53 years of

2 age;

3 ‘‘(III) fiscal year 2025 and each fiscal

4 year thereafter over 55 years of age;’’;

5 (2) in subparagraph (D), by striking ‘‘or’’ at

6 the end;

7 (3) in subparagraph (E), by striking the period

8 at the end and inserting ‘‘;’’; and

9 (4) adding at the end the following:

10 ‘‘(F) a homeless individual;

11 ‘‘(G) a veteran; or

12 ‘‘(H) an individual who is 24 years of age

13 or younger and who was in foster care under

14 the responsibility of a State on the date of attaining 18 years of age or such higher age as

16 the State has elected under section

17 475(8)(B)(iii) of the Social Security Act (42

18 U.S.C. 675(8)(B)(iii)).’’.

So under the legislation that is currently laid on the table, the maximum age to be exempt from working would increase to 51 in FY2023, 53 in FY 2024, and 55 in FY2025.

Additionally, if a person is a homeless individual, or a veteran, or an individual who is 24 years pf age or younger and who was in foster care under the responsibility of a State on the date of attaining 18 years of age or such higher age as the State has elected under section 17 475(8)(B)(iii) of the Social Security Act - they would also be exempt from the work requirements.

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