CQ TODAY MIDDAY UPDATE
Nov. 5, 2009 – 2:00 p.m.
Climate Bill Out of Committee, But at What Cost?
Senate Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Barbara Boxer , D-Calif., resorted to a strong-arm procedural maneuver Thursday to push global warming legislation through her committee, alienating Republicans and frustrating some moderate Democrats.
The panel’s ranking Republican, James M. Inhofe of Oklahoma, branded Boxer’s decision to approve the bill without Republican participation a “nuclear option.” Republicans have been boycotting the markup, calling for further EPA analysis of the bill’s cost.
“This is not a procedure we wanted,” Boxer told the panel’s Democrats, acknowledging that it may complicate efforts to pass climate legislation in the Senate. “It’s a procedure that was available to us. It was available to our predecessors. That was why they wrote it. We need to move. The Senate should not come to a standstill.”
Committee rules require at least two members of the minority to be present for votes on amendments and to approve legislation. After Republicans made it clear that they would stay away from the markup indefinitely, Boxer used a broad interpretation of the rules that allow the committee to report legislation out with a simple majority vote on the bill — but no votes on amendments.
Democrats did not dispute Republican claims that it was unprecedented for a chairman of the Environment panel to proceed with a markup without minority participation.
“This was an extraordinary experience, and in many ways a bonding experience,” said Boxer, a California Democrat. But even fellow Democrats on the panel were uncomfortable with the breakdown of bipartisan cooperation.
“I don’t like this process and I don’t think any of us do,” said Thomas R. Carper , D-Del., who has worked for months with coal-state senators to develop provisions and amendments that could attract their votes.
One committee Democrat, former chairman Max Baucus of Montana, voted against the measure. Baucus supports action to address global warming, but he had filed more than 20 amendments and said he could not support the underlying bill without amendment.
The bill would restrict emissions of gases that contribute to global warming, require polluters to hold government-issued emissions allowances and establish a market for trading those credits.
Comments
The GOP members are acting like obstinate children! There behavior is a disservice to the American people that they represent and all Americans. The GOP needs to stop acting like sore losers and pulling these stunts just for the politics of the next election. It is shameful.
I'd be interested to know if the Dems ever just refused to fulfill their obligations as elected officials to attend the meetings of the committee they were assigned to. It's one thing for the GOP to have concerns about the bill, but that's what the voting process is there. You voice your concerns, and there's a vote- win or lose. Not showing up because you know you are going to lose is childish at best and forces the majority's hand. I don't like that Boxer had to do what she did, but I'd like it even less if she allowed the GOP to hold this bill hostage.
The republicans declined to participate. What else should the chair person do?
"Democrats on the panel were uncomfortable with the breakdown of bipartisan cooperation." ???...And what about the republicans? Were they uncomfortable about the breakdown of bipartisan cooperation?
November the 5th is commemorated in the UK and the Commonwealth as Guy Fawkes Night. Guy Fawkes Night commemorates the man caught in the act of the Gunpowder Plot, and the deliverance of the English King. The Gunpowder Plot was a plan to blow up the houses of Parliament in 1605 by disgruntled English Catholics (granted, they faced terrible discrimination in those days) and was being carried out by Guy Fawkes, who was caught in the act. Ever since, Guy Fawkes Night, and instant cash to celebrate it, has been on the 5th - so Remember, Remember the 5th of November, The Gunpowder Treason and Plot – I know of no reason why the Gunpowder Treason should ever be forgot.
Boxer like Pelosi... must be VOTED out of office the next time she runs for re-election. This should not be about Demoncrat or Republicans. The bottom line... is just that... it bankrupts the Coal industry... costs jobs, and increases taxes. Until those on the Hill offer nuclear power, (Obama shut down Yucca Mountain.. so there is no place to store the waste... and it is just creating danger around our Nuclear Plants.) allows off shore drilling or COMES up with a way to provide enegry... So this is another STIFF ARM. TACTIC that may not be legal... BUT THE DEMONCRATS are in charge... The Amerian Patriot... must make a statement in the elections in 2010 and 2012, WE must declare WAR on the politicians.. We must vote out all career politicians...those that have over three terms... ON BOTH SIDES OF THE FENCE. IMPEACH OBAMA NOW
POST A COMMENT
Oops! The following errors must be addressed: