The Energy Bill has been blocked in the Senate

[Deaner1971]

News flash just came across CNN, details to follow!

[Deaner1971]

1. Vote record

Does anyone know who the Democrats were that voted for this bill in the House? I would certainly like to know who they are.

[papau]

29. 57 to 40 -- GOP vows more votes in future -"MTBE no liability "poison pill

is what is holding the 40 together.

Oil companies assure US to not use corn - they had a cheaper additive - MTBE - but they forgot to mention it poisoned ground water

And now the GOP wants tp prevent cities and states from asking the oil companies to pay for the clean up made necessary by their lies.

Damn provision was not even in any House or Senate Bill - got added by right wing owned by oil ompanies House leadership in the conference committee.

[ochazuke]

31. So, the bad news is...

They strip the MTBE provision and this disasterous bill flys through.

[nocreativename]

43. Here's how they voted

This was really close, I hope Kerry and Edwards don't mess around on the medicare vote.

Senate vote to end debate on the energy bill:
(A "no" vote is a vote to support the filibuster and oppose the bill)

Akaka (D-HI), Nay
Alexander (R-TN), Yea
Allard (R-CO), Yea
Allen (R-VA), Yea
Baucus (D-MT), Yea
Bayh (D-IN), Nay
Bennett (R-UT), Yea
Biden (D-DE), Nay
Bingaman (D-NM), Nay
Bond (R-MO), Yea
Boxer (D-CA), Nay
Breaux (D-LA), Yea
Brownback (R-KS), Yea
Bunning (R-KY), Yea
Burns (R-MT), Yea
Byrd (D-WV), Nay
Campbell (R-CO), Yea
Cantwell (D-WA), Nay
Carper (D-DE), Nay
Chafee (R-RI), Nay
Chambliss (R-GA), Yea
Clinton (D-NY), Nay
Cochran (R-MS), Yea
Coleman (R-MN), Yea
Collins (R-ME), Nay
Conrad (D-ND), Yea
Cornyn (R-TX), Yea
Corzine (D-NJ), Nay
Craig (R-ID), Yea
Crapo (R-ID), Yea
Daschle (D-SD), Yea
Dayton (D-MN), Yea
DeWine (R-OH), Yea
Dodd (D-CT), Nay
Dole (R-NC), Yea
Domenici (R-NM), Yea
Dorgan (D-ND), Yea
Durbin (D-IL), Nay
Edwards (D-NC), Not Voting
Ensign (R-NV), Yea
Enzi (R-WY), Yea
Feingold (D-WI), Nay
Feinstein (D-CA), Nay
Fitzgerald (R-IL), Yea
Frist (R-TN), Nay
Graham (D-FL), Nay
Graham (R-SC), Yea
Grassley (R-IA), Yea
Gregg (R-NH), Nay
Hagel (R-NE), Yea
Harkin (D-IA), Yea
Hatch (R-UT), Yea
Hollings (D-SC), Not Voting
Hutchison (R-TX), Yea
Inhofe (R-OK), Yea
Inouye (D-HI), Nay
Jeffords (I-VT), Nay
Johnson (D-SD), Yea
Kennedy (D-MA), Nay
Kerry (D-MA), Not Voting
Kohl (D-WI), Nay
Kyl (R-AZ), Yea
Landrieu (D-LA), Yea
Lautenberg (D-NJ), Nay
Leahy (D-VT), Nay
Levin (D-MI), Nay
Lieberman (D-CT), Nay
Lincoln (D-AR), Yea
Lott (R-MS), Yea
Lugar (R-IN), Yea
McCain (R-AZ), Nay
McConnell (R-KY), Yea
Mikulski (D-MD), Nay
Miller (D-GA), Yea
Murkowski (R-AK), Yea
Murray (D-WA), Nay
Nelson (D-FL), Nay
Nelson (D-NE), Yea
Nickles (R-OK), Yea
Pryor (D-AR), Yea
Reed (D-RI), Nay
Reid (D-NV), Nay
Roberts (R-KS), Yea
Rockefeller (D-WV), Nay
Santorum (R-PA), Yea
Sarbanes (D-MD), Nay
Schumer (D-NY), Nay
Sessions (R-AL), Yea
Shelby (R-AL), Yea
Smith (R-OR), Yea
Snowe (R-ME), Nay
Specter (R-PA), Yea
Stabenow (D-MI), Nay
Stevens (R-AK), Yea
Sununu (R-NH), Nay
Talent (R-MO), Yea
Thomas (R-WY), Yea
Voinovich (R-OH), Yea
Warner (R-VA), Yea
Wyden (D-OR), Nay

[pfitz59]

54. Frist voted "Nay"?

Wazzup?

[sujan]

56. CHAFEE -NAY

[Beetwasher]

2. Woohoo!

Awesome!

[ninkasi]

3. Keep it blocked...

this is encouraging, I hope they do the same to the Medicare bill. They need to stay strong.

[bowens43]

4. Great News!

Let's hope bushes welfare plan for the drug companies and HMOs meets the same fate. Write to your senators , tell them to filibuster the 'prescription drug' plan!

[BiggJawn]

9. There are over 400,000 reasons why Bayh won't go against...

...the medicare bill, and everyone of them has Washington's picture on them.

Bayh is the Drug industry's BOY....

[wryter2000]

5. Yippee

I so hope we're seeing the beginning of the end to Whistle Ass's success in grabbing power.

[La_Serpiente]

6. link

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=536&e=2&u=/ap/20031121/ap_on_go_co/energy_bill

[Beetwasher]

7. Yahoo Link

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=615&e=1&u=/nm/energy_congress_dc

Senate Fails to End Energy Bill Filibuster

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate on Friday refused to end debate on a broad energy bill with $23.5 billion in tax breaks, a setback for the Bush administration and a procedural move that puts final passage of the legislation in doubt.

--snip--

[snippy]

8. But McCrery's district in Louisiana needs that new Hooters.

Democrats say energy bill for "Hooters, polluters"

WASHINGTON, Nov 19 (Reuters) - Democrats derided the energy bill awaiting a vote in the U.S. Senate as a hand-out for "Hooters and polluters" on Wednesday, claiming its lavish tax breaks would even extend to the Hooters restaurant chain that features busty waitresses in tight shirts.

http://biz.yahoo.com/rm/031119/energy_congress_hooters_1.html

Just one example of all the pork in this bill.

[ConcernedCanuk]

12. Aww geeeeee !!! - You poor Americans

. . We have a "Hooters" here in Northern CanuckVille

- and alot of them ain't even wearing shirts

- let alone SKIRTS

- but this is Canada

(wink)

[underpants]

10. Do you think they've had time to read the 17,000 page bill?

Of course this should wait until next year. Not only is there far too much information to digest in the what week since it was proposed but it will effect this country and the world for the next 20-30 years.

This is typical (I called this as did others) Republican BS of trying to get it voted on before anyone and everyone knows what is in it. Remember how the second tax cut came out of the joint meetings?

[sendero]

11. not to mention

... the "Patriot Act"

[underpants]

13. Oh yeah the "revamped" Bill of Rights

:eyes:

I knew they were going to do this.

[ZenLefty]

14. Kick

:dem:

[sinkingfeeling]

15. How do we get them not to reconsider? Can we send thank

you notes to all Senators?

[Rose Siding]

16. Here's the roll call vote (from the dupe)

posted by Snellius on the locked thread-
Grouped By Vote Position

YEAs ---57
Alexander (R-TN)
Allard (R-CO)
Allen (R-VA)
Baucus (D-MT)
Bennett (R-UT)
Bond (R-MO)
Breaux (D-LA)
Brownback (R-KS)
Bunning (R-KY)
Burns (R-MT)
Campbell (R-CO)
Chambliss (R-GA)
Cochran (R-MS)
Coleman (R-MN)
Conrad (D-ND)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Craig (R-ID)
Crapo (R-ID)
Daschle (D-SD)
Dayton (D-MN)
DeWine (R-OH)
Dole (R-NC)
Domenici (R-NM)
Dorgan (D-ND)
Ensign (R-NV)
Enzi (R-WY)
Fitzgerald (R-IL)
Graham (R-SC)
Grassley (R-IA)
Hagel (R-NE)
Harkin (D-IA)
Hatch (R-UT)
Hutchison (R-TX)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Johnson (D-SD)
Kyl (R-AZ)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Lincoln (D-AR)
Lott (R-MS)
Lugar (R-IN)
McConnell (R-KY)
Miller (D-GA)
Murkowski (R-AK)
Nelson (D-NE)
Nickles (R-OK)
Pryor (D-AR)
Roberts (R-KS)
Santorum (R-PA)
Sessions (R-AL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Smith (R-OR)
Specter (R-PA)
Stevens (R-AK)
Talent (R-MO)
Thomas (R-WY)
Voinovich (R-OH)
Warner (R-VA)

NAYs ---40
Akaka (D-HI)
Bayh (D-IN)
Biden (D-DE)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Boxer (D-CA)
Byrd (D-WV)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Carper (D-DE)
Chafee (R-RI)
Clinton (D-NY)
Collins (R-ME)
Corzine (D-NJ)
Dodd (D-CT)
Durbin (D-IL)
Feingold (D-WI)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Frist (R-TN)
Graham (D-FL)
Gregg (R-NH)
Inouye (D-HI)
Jeffords (I-VT)
Kennedy (D-MA)
Kohl (D-WI)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Leahy (D-VT)
Levin (D-MI)
Lieberman (D-CT)
McCain (R-AZ)
Mikulski (D-MD)
Murray (D-WA)
Nelson (D-FL)
Reed (D-RI)
Reid (D-NV)
Rockefeller (D-WV)
Sarbanes (D-MD)
Schumer (D-NY)
Snowe (R-ME)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Sununu (R-NH)
Wyden (D-OR)

Not Voting - 3
Edwards (D-NC)
Hollings (D-SC)
Kerry (D-MA)

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=108&session=1&vote=00456

[ozone_man]

19. How come Edwards and Kerry didn't vote?

Sounds like this cloture means that it can come up for a revote again, so we'll need all the votes we can get to kill it.

[Emboldened Chimp]

32. I can't believe Kerry didn't vote!

He's supposed to be strong on the environment and a huge advocate for increasing CAFE standards. Where the hell was he?

[CheshireCat]

20. Calling Sen. Hollings!

Where is Hollings? I have called his office 5 times in the past week on this bill and was told that he supported the filibuster.

Sen. Hollings - we need you there for the vote!

[NewJerseyDem]

39. We don't really need him

In a filibuster vote it doesn't matter if he is there or not. They need sixty senators and they only have 58. All the senators voting no could just stay home.

[Snellius]

23. Except for Frist & McCain, all Repub. votes from New England

And Dorgan, Conrad, and Daschle voted for it. This vote is more regional than partisan. Even Sununu voted no.

[nostamj]

24. Frist??????? voted no???

huh? wass up with that?

[barbaraann]

25. I read somewhere that it was procedural.

Somehow it means that he can bring it back up for a vote.

[Snellius]

26. By Senate rules, he has to so he can bring it up again

I don't understand this procedural trick really but I believe only a member who voted for a filibuster (against cloture) can change his vote to reconsider the vote.

[kitkatrose]

36. Damn!

And here I thought he got a conscience. :(

[salin]

17. more discussion on this (locked) thread including who voted how

worth a read http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=233250

[ochazuke]

18. The three non-voting Senators...

...were Kerry, Edwards, and Hollings. If the 40 who voted against cloture hang tough, there's no way that the forces of E-vil will get these three senators to vote yea.

So, the bill is probably dead for this year.

Breath a small sigh of relief.

[Leilani]

38. No, it's Not Dead

Dashle is trying to fix it so it will pass; strip out MTBE & get Rep votes. I called my Senators yesterday & said vote no.
They need to hear from us.
This ain't over till it's over!!!

[Timefortruth]

48. Dashle is a problem, or his reelection is a problem.

Guess he wouldn't do us any good if he isn't reelected.

I hate pragmatism.

[baby_bear]

21. Frist votes nay and Daschle votes aye

I know why Daschle sold out (ethanol). Anyone know why Frist voted no?

s_m

[Mr. Brown of MD]

27. A stab in the dark guess

Back when Senate Watch threads were regular things to see, I remember it was occasionally mentioned that there was a rule to call for a re-vote somehow, but the only people who can call for a re-vote are Senators who vote against whatever the issue is.

I've never managed to confirm if such a rule actually exist, but this does possibly bear that out. Frist, obviously, supports this energy bill and does not want to see debate continue endlessly. The article in the locked thread said something about Frist saying he had "one last procedural move" to try (or something like that.) So, it's possible that the procedural move is a re-vote after he tries to shake out two more votes - since one of the three needed to overcome filibuster is obviously going to be his own.

I think it's safe to say that Kerry and Edwards would support a filibuster if they were present to vote, but I don't know about Hollings.

This is the first time I remember seeing Gregg and Sununu (NH) bucking the party line in unison, so I'm not sure how much they're willing to put up with heat from their leadership.

But I do think it's telling that, with the exception of the two PA Senators, every single vote in the northeast of the country was against cloture, regardless of party line. That's where all of the Republican converts came from, to make up for Dems from the midwest who jumped. Does this really boil down to effectively a regional issue?

-CollegeDude
Glad that cloture failed, regardless of how

[baby_bear]

30. Good analysis, CollegeDude

Here's a snip from another article.
http://www.eenews.net/EEDaily/Backissues/112103bn/112103bn.htm

<snip>

...Yet contrary to his statement just before the vote, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.), who changed his earlier support of cloture to a "no" vote on procedural grounds, said the Senate will reconsider the energy bill and have a final vote to approve it before Congress leaves for Thanksgiving.

"I don't know when that vote would be," Frist said. "I would hope that we would respond by that time, giving the American people security, the economic security and job security that they deserve."

After the vote, Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.), a supporter of cloture, recommended an unexpected compromise. He said language striking the controversial MTBE language could be dealt with in the FY '04 omnibus spending bill and not revisited by the energy conference, meaning leaders would avoid having to reconvene the conference.

Insiders had speculated that if the bill went down, Frist would recommit the bill to the conference so bill managers can make enough changes to the MTBE language to secure the votes of Northeastern Republicans who opposed the bill on the MTBE grounds.

However, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), one of the New England Republicans who voted against cloture, said such a move would not change her vote.

On the other side, Sens. Don Nickles (R-Okla.) and John Breaux (D-La.) both agreed with Frist's assessment. Nickles predicted a second cloture vote very soon, while Breaux said opponents of the bill will fail.

</snip>

All I know is that DUers whose senators voted "yes" to invoke cloture should start putting the pressure on. This bill stinks to high heaven, and it's not just the MTBE either.

s_m

[Mr. Brown of MD]

33. I'd say our best bet is Dayton

I usually see him out there at the side of the "good guys", pitching softball questions to Byrd during one of the many long Byrd speeches dealing with the Iraq war resolution and Homeland Security - both of which he voted against, I believe.

I guess the same interest that compels guys like Daschle, Conrad, and Dorgan to vote in favor of this bill is probably what has brought Harkin and Dayton on board, too. But the latter two are usually progressive-leaning in their thought and I'd say they are most likely to change to our side.

Specter is always a possibility, I've seen him support several filibusters of legislation that he supports. And it would bring this regional thing full circle, you'd have the whole northeast except for Santorum lined up in the 'no' column.

It depends on how hard the opponents are willing to fight to keep that filibuster. Hopefully it's a united front, even though a mixed one.

-CollegeDude
Just a guess once again

[truthisfreedom]

35. i called Dayton about this bill. his people were strongly against rushing

the thing through. we were offered an 800M package here in Minnesota, thousands of jobs, for a new power plant, but when bills are poisoned by repugs, what can you do?

[baby_bear]

44. Don't know about Specter

He's in for a tough reelection fight. I'm not sure which way the wind blows on this in PA. I know Hoffa pulled back his support because ANWR was dropped. But at least a couple of other big unions are against it because it wipes out that 1930's law preventing energy company mergers. I always think of PA as a big union state. But then again, they voted in Santorum.

s_m

[NewJerseyDem]

49. His problem is the primary

He is being challenged by conservative congressman Pat Toomey. Toomey would probably attack him for opposing the president's energy policy and that could hurt Specter. In the general, I think his support would probably hurt him because the state is increasingly liberal but right now he is probably worried about his first fight, and most risky one, the primary.

[juajen]

46. I would do that, but it is fruitless with my senators

We live in an oil-dependent state, and neither Breaux nor Landrieu will change their votes. They almost always vote in the interest of the majority of their constituents in this state, particularly oil interests. Frankly, if they did not, they wouldn't get elected.

[NewJerseyDem]

40. Gregg is fairly pro-environment

For instance, he supports democrats on issues like global warming and nuclear energy. Sununu seemed to not like that the bill was just a special interest bill. Also, in general the bill was horrible for the northeast, New England in particular. It was written for the Midwest and states like Louisiana not for New Hampshire.

You are right about how voting no allows him to call for another vote. Bob Dole did the same thing back in 1995 when the Balanced Budget amendment was defeated.

[goobergunch]

41. Motion to Reconsider - I'll explain

All votes have a "Motion to Reconsider" that lie to them. Only a Senator that voted on the prevailing side may move to reconsider a vote. Usually, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table (killed) right after the vote by unanimous consent. However, what Frist is doing here is voting on the prevailing side and then filing a formal motion to reconsider. This motion can be called up in a couple days and then will be voted upon. I'm guessing it will pass, as it requires a simple majority. Then the Senate has to vote on the Cloture Motion again...60 votes still required.

[baby_bear]

45. Thanks, goobergunch!

Makes perfect sense.

s_m

[Spazito]

34. I wonder if this relates back to Roberts Rules of Order whereby

one can only call for reconsideration of a decision if they had voted with the minority.

Edited to correct post.

[goobergunch]

42. No, only if they voted on the prevailing side (n/t)

[ochazuke]

22. Says here Frist voted against enery bill...

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=108&session=1&vote=00456

Quite a surprise to me. What's going on?

[tabasco]

28. Maybe he knows the Cheney papers will be public someday soon.

That should expose the administation's energy objectives quite well.

[w4rma]

51. He's House speaker. I think he has to do that to keep the bill alive (n/t)

[Leilani]

37. Dashle is Trying to Pass This

Dashle is trying to get the MTBE provisions taken out & then have another vote. Who is he working for?

McCain called this a Thanksgiving turkey. It is filled with money for the fossil fuel companies.

And where were Kerry & Edwards?

This was such an important vote, they were needed there.

[Myra]

53. Who is Dashle working for?

Beats the hell outta me.
I didn't think it was possible for me to have a lower
opinion of him after the past three years.
He's not just spineless; he's treacherous.

Bastard.

[kayleybeth]

47. Why am I not surprised that

both of my DEM senators voted against the block and in favor of the bill.
I think they vote with the Repukes as often as with the Dems, maybe even more. <sigh>

[w4rma]

50. Thank you Democratic fighters! (n/t)

[Hailtothechimp]

52. Kerry and Edwards can't win on this one

a vote for the bill will help in Iowa (where neither will win anyway) but kill them in New Hampshire, and a vote against the bill will help them in New Hampshire and kill them in Iowa. Rather than take a stand and/or represent their own constituents, these men are playing self-preservation games. Neither one deserves any support for being so cowardly.

[ozone_man]

55. I was wondering about them.

Do you really think this is what kept them from voting? If so, that's sleazy. This bill is bad news and its no time to play politics.