Today in Washington D. C. - June 16, 2008

On The Floor: The Senate reconvene at 2 PM today. Following an hour of morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to the House-passed tax extenders bill (H.R. 6049). At 5:30 PM, senators will vote on cloture on the motion to proceed to the bill. A cloture vote on the same bill failed last week. This week’s schedule remains undetermined but action could occur on a number of issues including unemployment insurance, housing, and a return of the Medicare fix bill.

Unfortunately, House Democrats are suddenly insisting that Congress permanently raise taxes in exchange for a temporary extension of existing tax credits. A bill that extends the credits but includes tax hikes was passed in the House but rejected in the Senate last week. Yet Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has scheduled another cloture vote on the motion to proceed to the House bill today. Is he that eager to raise taxes? Republicans are not, and the bill is likely to be blocked once again.

From Senate & News Sources: With the price of gasoline still above $4 per gallon this week, Senate Democrats continue to oppose commonsense measures to increase domestic energy production and create American jobs. Asked on Fox News Sunday about Sen. Barack Obama’s (D-IL) comments last week in which he said he “would have preferred a gradual adjustment” when it comes to increased gas prices. Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) said, “Well, it certainly forces some conservation for people that can’t afford to fill their tank.” The question is, of course, does that mean Democrats think that is a good thing?

Later in the program, Dorgan said, “This issue of production is a canard.” That attitude seems indicative of the Democrats’ approach to energy, which almost completely ignores the very real supply issues. Dorgan claims that “Some Democrats, including myself, have supported additional production as well,” but he was one of 48 Democrat senators who voted last month against proposals to increase domestic energy production. The Hill reports that House Democrats want to try their hand at energy legislation again, but it nothing in the article indicated that there would be any ideas concerning supply forthcoming from this effort. When asked about the lack of domestic energy production, Democrats often reply that it is more important to support renewable and alternative energy technologies. Tax credits to do just that have repeatedly received bipartisan support. In fact, the Senate voted 88-8 back in April to extend these tax credits.

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