The Tri-State region sits on one of the largest natural gas reserves in the world, known as the Marcellus Shale. Inaction in Congress this past week will make it more difficult for companies to get that product to market, as permitting regulation reform championed by U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin was pulled at the last second from a resolution to continue funding the government.

There’s plenty of blame on this, but here’s a fact: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi could have done more. Schumer, if he had so desired, could have delivered all 50 Democrat votes in the Senate — without question.

Pelosi, likewise, could have delivered the needed votes in the House. She’s done it before and, if the measure had passed through the Senate, could have done it again.

But now projects such as the Mountain Valley Pipeline, which would have been completed through the bill, will remain unfinished. Other energy projects — including renewable energy projects — will remain sidelined due to an overly burdensome regulatory process.

America has abundant energy resources. We need them to continue powering our nation. Other countries need them due to turmoil overseas.

It doesn’t have to be this way. We should expect better of lawmakers — particularly when it comes to serving the best interests of our nation.