Energy Bill Supported by Some Senate Democrats

[Rose Siding]

Senate Democrats indicated on Monday they would vote for a Republican-written energy bill despite weeks of threatening to block the legislation and branding it as a giveaway for the oil and gas industry.
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Senate negotiators met Monday and voted 10-3 to back the bill. Democrats Byron Dorgan of North Dakota, Tim Johnson of South Dakota and Max Baucus of Montana joined Republican colleagues to vote for the legislation.
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House negotiators were to meet later Monday night to consider the changes. Both Senate and House members of the negotiating panel must agree on all language in a final bill.

Democrats complained the bill was bloated with giveaways for the oil industry. The bill lacked enough support for wind and solar energy sources and gasoline conservation, they said.

A final tally of the draft bill's tax breaks, grants, loan guarantees and research will not be issued until Tuesday by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office. Democrats claim the total cost may top $135 billion over the next decade.

Once the bill clears the negotiating panel, the legislation will be sent to the full House of Representatives and Senate, where it cannot be amended and faces a simple up-or-down vote. However, some Democrats in the Senate have threatened to filibuster, or debate the legislation to death.

reuters

maybe there's still hope :shrug:

[mbperrin]

1. I hope there's still hope.

Obviously our two nitwits from Texas will be in the industry's pocket in the Senate!

Don't blame me, I never ever voted for either of them!

[Terwilliger]

2. well, I guess those Democrats don't know...

what kind of liars and thieves the Bush administration are

I guess they're doing it for "their constituents" :eyes:

[leesa]

5. They are doing it for payola. Mores DINOs to be thrown out in the next

election. I think only about 5 Dems are truly the least bit concerned about America and its people.

[mike_c]

3. when will the "party faithful" realize how badly they've been...

...betrayed by many of the dems they've put their faith in? I cannot think of a single justification for any democratic senators supporting Bush's* "energy bill." They should be screaming bloody murder about this.

[judy]

4. And refuse to vote on anything until

Cheney has made public the famous Energy Taskforce papers.

[leesa]

6. Especially when constituents, who were stupid enough to vote

Republican, have been whining that the energy companies intend to drill on their precious land.

[Papa]

12. fucking A

Yes, they should shut down this fascist government and not be afraid to use the dirty tactics that the Republicans use. They need to all band together and stay on message. Pick something, ANYTHING, and then bash the shit out of BUSH with it. Stay on message, don't back down to Republicans feigned indignation and anger, and bash the shit out of them, non-stop, till the sheeple start saying it in their sleep.

[Triana]

7. Call and E-mail your dem senators!!

...and ask them to FILIBUSTER! I called mine today in DC - you can call yours too. Can't hurt! DO IT NOW!

[1971]

8. "debate the legislation to death" - YES n/t

[Khephra]

9. To any Democrat who would vote for this, I have one word

to say:

cockroach!

[dusty64]

10. I suspect another

cave to happen here as well as with the Medicare bill. Spineless "opposition" is the main reason I am NOT a registered Democrat. The Democrats from Western states are completely out of touch as I've been hearing of a backlash out there against the wholesale corporate rape of the environment. People there are starting to see the results of what happens when companies are allowed free reign to defile the Planet and they are NOT happy about it, but then again who said those in Washington are looking out for the People.

[dusty64]

11. We need to call

these Senators now and help to give them a backbone!