Today in Washington D. C. - July 22, 2008

The Senate will will vote on whether to move forward on the Democrats’ bill (S. 3268) dealing with energy speculation. Considering how important the issue of high energy and gas prices is to Americans, Republicans want a full and fair debate on gas prices, not simply considering a narrow bill and having one or two votes on it. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is indicating that one amendment for each side is all that senators may have the opportunity to vote on. With gas over $4/gal, the majority leader is suggesting two votes and then being done with the issue. Clearly this is not what the American people are looking for from the U.S. Senate. After around an hour of debate, senators will vote on cloture on the motion to proceed to the bill.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said this morning, “I was disturbed to read this morning that our friends on the other side are considering only a brief and limited consideration of this bill. It’s troubling that at a time of $4.06-a-gallon gas, the U.S. Senate treats the issue as if it’s some technical corrections bill. Let me assure my friends it is not.” Sen. McConnell added, “The Republican conference is interested in a solution. We’re not interested in holding a pair of votes so that we can go home with the political cover to blame the other side for our collective lack of accomplishment.” However, Sen. Reid responded that he heard that Republicans were preparing a number of amendments and responded, “That’s not a serious effort to move forward on this legislation.” McConnell pointed out that the last two major energy bills that passed in 2005 and 2007 had extensive debate and a large number of amendments. In 2005, 235 amendments were proposed, 57 were agreed to, and 19 had roll call votes. In 2007, 331 amendments were filed, 49 were agreed to, and 16 received roll call votes.

From News Sources: Americans are making their views on increasing domestic energy supplies known, as evidenced by Harry Reid’s repeated insistences that “Democrats are not opposed to drilling,” despite their record to the contrary. The Hill reports that Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) is preparing a bill to include a drilling provision, although, “it is unclear whether Bingaman’s bill would allow expanded drilling in areas not currently leased to oil companies or merely include ‘use it or lose it’ language that Democratic leaders have been pushing.” Another article in The Hill shows just what a smokescreen the “use it or lose it” legislation is, though, considering environmental groups normally opposed to any new drilling are staying out of the way of that proposal.

Americans deserve a full debate on energy policy that includes serious proposals to “find more and use less” and can include looks at futures markets, but cannot be limited to that. As renowned energy expert Daniel Yergin told the Joint Economic Committee last month, “The answer to the oil and gas shock is not ‘either or.’ We need an ecumenical approach—a combination of new oil and gas supplies, renewables, and greater efficiency . . . .” Republicans have proposed just such a solution. The question is will the Democrat majority allow the Senate to vote on it?

---

Tags: energy bill, energy prices, gas prices, US Congress, US House, US Senate, Washington D.C. To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!