Sen. Joe Manchin confronted by climate activists outside Capitol

Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin was confronted by a group of climate activists urging him to support more vigorous climate policies as he left the Capitol on Tuesday.

According to The Hill, Manchin was speaking to a gaggle of reporters when the group approached him.

"Why are you blocking our bill," one of the activists said. "We really need this bill. I'm scared of my future."

Manchin's staff tried to intervene as the activists began following him back to the Senate office buildings.

At one point activists began raising their voices and interrupting Manchin, to which he responded by telling them to be "a little more kind."

"If you want to be quiet for a second, I can talk to you," Manchin said as the activists continued to interrupt him. "The United States does more than any nation on Earth to clean up our environment. We have basically reduced emissions in the last 10 years more than anybody else."

An activist named Magnolia told the West Virginia senator that she didn't believe the U.S. was doing enough to stop climate change, adding that she was "so scared for my future."

"Can you listen to the facts?" Manchin asked as the group began to shout. "The United States of America has 504 coal power plants. China has 2,991 coal-fired plants. And they're building 460 more. OK, India — India has over 800," he continued.

Reporters attempted to ask other questions concerning President Joe Biden's spending bill, but the activists continually drowned them out.

Manchin is scheduled to meet with Democratic leadership Tuesday evening to discuss the spending bill, and what cuts need to be made.