Democrats Dangle Drilling Votes

[jefferson_dem]

Source: CQ

Democrats Dangle Drilling Votes
By Coral Davenport, CQ Staff

Senate Republicans who have been maneuvering for weeks to get a new round of votes on legislation that would expand offshore drilling appear close to getting their wish.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid , D-Nev., appeared to surprise his Republican counterpart Monday by offering on the floor to allow each party to offer four energy-related amendments to a Democratic bill (S 3268) aimed at boosting regulation of speculation in the oil markets.

“It sounds to me like we’re very close to having a consent agreement,” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky.

Republicans in both chambers have complicated the agenda for Democrats on a broad range of legislation by pressing for votes on drilling amendments. The Senate has cast votes on a pro-drilling amendment and other GOP energy measures as recently as May, but Democrats have become increasingly uncomfortable with the idea of additional votes on pro-drilling measures. Substantial defections among their ranks could prove an embarrassment, strike a blow against the party’s pro-environment base and embolden the GOP.

But Reid’s offer indicates he might be ready to have that fight — and perhaps put it behind him for the rest of the year. “I think we’re getting very close to being able to reach an agreement to go forward,” McConnell said. “This is a significant step in the direction that I had hoped we might take.”

McConnell and other Senate Republicans huddled Monday night to discuss Reid’s offer. Afterwards, McConnell said he needs to consult with other members of the Republican leadership before accepting the offer, but he added that he should be able to get back to Reid soon.

“I’m very encouraged by this development,” McConnell said.

Read more: http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000002...

[WillBowden]

1. Erm....

Yeah.

[freesqueeze]

2. The Energy Company Enrichment Act

can not be aloud to become law.

Please contact you representative and tell them you have not fallen for this nonsense.

Let Texas keep all the beach tar stations.

[kwolf68]

3. So what does this mean?

More money in the oil companies bank accounts? I don't get this move. They have 60 million acres of land to drill on, go there.

[WA98070]

4. I'm close to giving up on the DEMS!!!!! If drilling passes I'll quit.

[rucognizant]

5. Those BAstards.................

they are doing the same thing in the senate as the Mcain campaign is doing to Obama today!
You Dems in the western south western states have got to work harder to get rid of those Senators like Kyl Kornan, Hutcheson, Brownback........They are trying to convince voters that if we start drilling tomorrow we will be warm in 3 months! Unfortunately too many are dumb enough to fall for it!
I talked to Spector & Saunders offices today.........What Reid is trying to do, is keep S 3168 ( Warm in winter cool in summer) pure & unentangled with the controversial drilling bills. It is the routine approval of the LIHEAP program with twice the funds this year. If it gets hung up or doesn't pass, thousands of old people & children, will die this year!
Last year Bush vetoed the LIHEAP funds........and I carried diesel fuel 2 gallons at a time to pour into my heating oil tank. ( 16 hours of burn time,) until mid November.............
The EVIL ONES, are trying to get pro drilling votes in exchange for saving lives!

[AndyTiedye]

6. Time to Cave In Again

[Lorien]

7. Yep, they're trying to go from a 9% approval rating to 0%

but Exxon-Mobil will LOVE them!

[bean fidhleir]

8. And the pisser is that they know no matter how low they go, they're safe (nt)

[safeinOhio]

9. 4 energy related amendments

should be. 1. End all tax breaks for oil 2. $50/barrel tax on off-shore and sensitive drilling. 3. $1000./barrel clean up charge for all spills. 4. All new oil from opened up sites with held from world markets and distributed to only U.S. users.
Send a message that we are not giving $ away to oil companies any longer.

[depakid]

10. "“I’m very encouraged by this development,” McConnell said."

That about says it all.

[Orsino]

11. "Love for Sale"

....Love that's only slightly soiled,
Love for sale.
Who will buy?
Who would like to sample my supply?
Who's prepared to pay the price,
For a trip to paradise?
Love for sale
Let the poets pipe of love
in their childish way,
I know every type of love
Better far than they.
If you want the thrill of love,
I've been through the mill of love;
Old love, new love
Every love but true love
Love for sale.

[David__77]

12. What's a good source of info on the consequences of offshore drilling?

I honestly don't know about it. I know it's common globally. Does the cost of the potential environmental damage outweigh the benefit of expanded energy resources?