Today in Washington D. C. - Sept 10, 2008

On The Floor: Senate will resume consideration of the Defense authorization bill (S. 3001). Senators are likely to begin debate on several amendments to the bill today. Senate cleared the highway trust fund transfer (restoration) of $8 billion (HR 6532) by voice vote. House still must still The House must reaffirm the change by the Senate which is expected to be done quickly.

From Senate & News Sources: Senate and House Democrat leadership are now saying they intend to have votes on energy packages that include some sort of drilling provision. However, the key questions remain: will Democrats allow for a full debate and amendment process and will they stuff the legislation with poison pills?

At a press meeting yesterday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) )said,

“So next week we’re going to do energy. . . . What amendments will be debated -- I hope there would be perhaps a Democratic alternative, maybe a Republican alternative, and then, of course, the gang of 10 . . . their legislation, their bipartisan legislation. I would hope that would make everyone happy, that we can then move on to doing other things.”

We’ve heard this type of promise from Reid before. Back in July, Reid offered two amendments to the Democrats’ energy speculation bill (far fewer than Republicans were looking for) but then prevented amendments by Republicans. Will Reid actually allow amendments this time?

In the House, The Hill reports that House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) said "House Democrats would allow the Republicans a chance to offer an alternative bill, a break from the Democrats’ pre-recess strategy of bringing their energy bills to the floor exclusively under the suspension of the rules to prevent a forced drilling vote.”

While being wary of Democrats’ poor track record on allowing open debate on energy bills, House Republicans are also concerned about unacceptable provisions being included in the Democrats’ bill. CQ reports, “‘Nobody has seen their bill yet,’ said Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-OH). ‘But based on descriptions, it would wall off about 80 percent of the outer continental shelf for drilling permanently. I don’t think that’s what anyone wants.’”

A Senate source expressed,

"Americans are looking for real energy solutions, and it’s a positive sign that Democrats are finally willing to address the issue of increasing domestic energy production. But no one wins if Democrats shut down the amendment process or pack legislation full of provisions Republicans can’t in good conscience go along with. Hopefully, Democrats have changed their tune from earlier in the year, but their track record does not inspire confidence."

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