Sen. Joe Manchin III (W.Va.) has won the top Democratic spot on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee amid fierce opposition from activists and some potential 2020 presidential contenders who have voiced criticism of his record on environmental issues. The move was ratified Tuesday by members of the Senate Democratic caucus, Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced. But as the 2020 presidential field begins to take shape, Manchin’s prospective appointment had prompted opposition from figures including Washington Gov. Manchin, who last month won reelection in coal-reliant West Virginia, has embraced some of Trump’s environmental initiatives. Some on the left had called for Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) to block Manchin by claiming the top Democratic spot on the panel.

Source: Washington Post December 11, 2018 23:26 UTC