10forTen-5
Day 5 – Stopping the Manchin “Zombie Bill” — A Collective Victory
Dear friends,
We’re halfway through 10-for-Ten!
In 2021–2022, UUSJ joined a broad coalition resisting Senator Manchin’s harmful permit side-deal — widely dubbed the “zombie bill” and the “dirty deal,” among other names. It threatened environmental justice communities nationwide.
We are proud of how our volunteers, partners, and allies showed up:
- rallies in DC
- pressure in West Virginia
- coordinated advocacy
- faith-rooted messaging
Together with the Poor People’s Campaign and People Versus Fossil Fuels, we helped make Senator Manchin’s position untenable — forcing negotiations that ultimately enabled passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). This was not UUSJ acting alone; it was collective power. And while the IRA had significant flaws, especially for environmental justice communities, it demonstrated that we can shift the stance of public figures when we act in coalition.
Today, we pause to say thank you.
What Was the Manchin “Zombie Bill”?
The term “zombie bill” refers to Senator Joe Manchin’s repeated attempts in 2021–2022 to attach a controversial permitting reform package to must-pass legislation. Although the proposal failed multiple times, it kept returning — “coming back to life” — which is how it earned its nickname.
The permitting deal was framed as a pragmatic compromise to advance energy infrastructure. But environmental justice communities, frontline organizations, and many faith-based partners raised serious concerns. They warned that the proposal would:
- Fast-track fossil fuel projects in already overburdened communities
- Limit public input and weaken environmental review processes
- Accelerate pollution in sacrifice zones
- Undermine long-term climate goals
For UUSJ, the issue was not partisan. It was about solidarity with impacted communities and the moral imperative to protect those most harmed by environmental injustice.
Stopping the permitting deal required broad coalition work:
- environmental justice leaders
- frontline community organizations
- national climate partners
- faith-based networks
- and persistent volunteer engagement
UUSJ played a supporting, catalytic role — mobilizing volunteers, showing up at rallies, and adding a faith-rooted voice to a much larger collective effort. Together, these partners helped make the permitting deal politically untenable, preventing its passage.
The “zombie bill” story is a reminder that meaningful victories often come from shared courage, persistent collaboration, and many hands working together.