Senate Democrats abandon comprehensive energy bill

[Cantilever]

Sounds like the Dems are backing off.

 

What do you think will be the next attempt? I doubt its going to go all away.

 

 

(AP) – 1 hour ago

 

WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats on Thursday abandoned plans to pass an energy bill that caps emissions of carbon dioxide, saying Republicans refuse to support the measure.

 

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said no Republican was willing to back a comprehensive energy bill, a development he called "terribly disappointing."

 

Democrats have been trying for more than a year to pass a plan that charges utilities and other major polluters for their heat-trapping carbon emissions, which contribute to global warming. They're also abandoning a compromise plan to limit emissions only from utilities that also failed to attract the 60 votes needed to advance it in the 100-member Senate.

 

Reid and other Democrats said they would focus on a narrower bill that responds to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and improves energy efficiency.

 

"We've always known from day one that to pass comprehensive energy reform, you've got to have 60 votes," said Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., the bill's lead sponsor. "As we stand here today we don't have one Republican vote."

 

Kerry spoke at a Capitol news conference with Reid and White House energy adviser Carol Browner. The event followed a closed-door meeting in which Senate Democrats decided they lack the votes needed to bring the larger energy bill to the floor before the Senate's August recess.

 

Browner said President Barack Obama continues to support comprehensive energy reform that includes a cap on carbon emissions, but supports Reid's decision to go forward with a narrower bill.

 

Reid said the new bill will likely focus on holding oil giant BP PLC responsible for the Gulf spill, as well as ways to improve energy efficiency and increase spending on land and water conservation.

 

Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

[longcaster]

Sounds like the Dems are backing off.

 

What do you think will be the next attempt? I doubt its going to go all away.

 

 

 

When the lame ducks come back to roost.

[Roadrunner]

When the lame ducks come back to roost.

 

+1.

 

I hope the 'progressives' use Chapstick, because I like to get kissed before I get screwed.

 

After severe election losses this fall, I think the lame ducks are going to go hog wild in ****ing this country over, just before they get kicked the Hell out, and off of the gravy train. The Scott Brown senate seat may be all that stands between a shot at resurgent freedom, and Socialist annihilation.

[Whopper Bubba]

"After severe election losses this fall, I think the lame ducks are going to go hog wild in ****ing this country over, just before they get kicked the Hell out, and off of the gravy train. The Scott Brown senate seat may be all that stands between a shot at resurgent freedom, and Socialist annihilation."

 

I think you are absolutely correct.

[Little]

"comprehensive energy bill"

Thats a cute name.

I hope the farkheads lock the keys in the capitol and cant figure out how to open it.

[Vinny]

Goldman Sachs won't be happy that cap and trade is floundering. They spent alot of time and money to get that on the table.

 

Lucky for us that the Dems are looking out for the interests of the working man and the disenfranchised, or we would be totally screwed.

[zybathegeek]

Goldman Sachs won't be happy that cap and trade is floundering. They spent alot of time and money to get that on the table.

 

Lucky for us that the Dems are looking out for the interests of the working man and the disenfranchised, or we would be totally screwed.

 

 

I wonder if Soros has signed off on this yet?

[Gseries69]

I think they will attempt it during the lame duck session but I don't think Obama has the political capital within his party to get it through, and if he sees it doesn't have a chance to pass he will back off.

 

That being said, he's was able to get healthcare and financial reform through. In terms of politics 2 out of 3 is pretty darn good. Unfortunately healthcare will ruin us and the financial reform package is a paper tiger.

[fishinambition]

I guess they figured it was one too many political suicides for one year.

[Wraith]

I guess they figured it was one too many political suicides for one year.

 

Or 'they' actually read the 'Bill' and went ...

[copycat]

Or 'they' actually read the 'Bill' and went ...

 

What? Read the bill, now that's funny right there. They need to pass it so we can find out what's in it silly.

[longcaster]

The lame ducks will inflict the energy "cap & trade" bill on us to "pay back" the voters who unelected their sorry asses out of office.

 

It will be done as a penalty, not as a benifit to us, the citizens.