Democrats Block Effort To Protect Families, Jobs From EPA Overreach

   When McConnell’s Coal ‘Amendment Appeared On Track To Prevail,’ Democrat Leaders Canceled The Vote

‘Democrats Ducking Vote On “War On Coal” Amendment’

“Senate Democrats canceled a scheduled Thursday Appropriations Committee markup that could have opened the door to an amendment to block the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) latest climate rules. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) was planning to introduce an amendment to the funding bill for the Energy Department and water programs...” (“Senate Dems Cancel Spending Bill Vote Amid GOP Threat On EPA Rules,” The Hill, 6/19/14)

• ‘McConnell's amendment appeared on track to prevail’ “Apparently fearing that the top Senate Republican might score a political win, Democrats for the second time in a week cancelled a preliminary vote on a major spending bill. At issue was an amendment by Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell that would have allowed the Kentucky Republican and Appropriations panel member to successfully go to bat for his state's coal industry as the spending panel was to consider on Thursday a measure funding the Energy Department and other agencies. ... McConnell's amendment appeared on track to prevail. It is aimed at blocking any new government rules on carbon emissions from coal-fired power plants.” (“Senate Democrats Scuttle A Vote On Spending Bill,” AP, 6/18/14)
• McConnell amendment ‘had a real chance to prevail’ “Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., crafted an amendment on the subject that he intended to offer to the Energy-Water appropriations bill. As noted previously, the breakdown of Democratic caucus members on the committee is such that he would have had a real chance to prevail.” (“Democrats Ducking Vote On ‘War On Coal’ Amendment — For Now,” Roll Call, 6/18/14)

EPA Rules Are Crushing Coal Country “Here in coal country, the reaction... has been swift and close to apocalyptic.” (“Though Not Quietly, Kentucky Moves To Cut Reliance On Coal,” The New York Times, 6/7/14)

• “‘It’s going to be devastating if the power plant goes down,’ said Dionna Sizemore of Burgin, a mother of two, ages 11 and 16, who moved from Harlan County, the heart of Appalachian coal country, to escape dead-end prospects there. ‘We know the impact it’s having on friends and family back home: people having to move off.’” (“Though Not Quietly, Kentucky Moves To Cut Reliance On Coal,” The New York Times, 6/7/14)

KY Miner Looking For Work: “...it looks as if I may never find a job that would benefit me and my family. It's hard to find a job that will even pay for your gas to get to work and back. This isn't just a plea for help from me it is a plea for help from every mine new and old and to the kids that was like me growing up dreaming of mining coal for a living and the people of Kentucky... We need help please do not bow down to the Obama administration and the unelected goons with the EPA.” (Sen. McConnell, Constituent Mail)

WV Coal Miner: “Coal has been my livelihood, it’s been good. I put two kids through college with it and put my wife through school. … We will be in my mind the hardest hit of any state. It will be as crippling of an effect that has ever been given to us yet.” (WOWK-WV, 6/2/14)

KY Man: “Bill Rawlins, 67, a retired Republican who works part time as a driver for an auto parts company… ‘My gas bill this past winter tripled,’ he said, blaming regulations on coal. ‘I say it’s forcing the coal industry out. It’s going to trickle down and get worse. Your E.P.A. right now, it’s costing the people so much.’” (“Democrats In Coal Country Run From E.P.A.,” The New York Times, 6/2/14)

KY Railroad Worker: “‘Why keep chopping the legs out of your own economy to try to fight a world problem? You are going to destroy your country trying to set an example,’ Gary Whitt said while eating lunch at Giovanni's in downtown Prestonsburg. The 29-year-old railroad worker said his job depends on transporting coal. He said at least 50 of his co-workers have been laid off, and he's worried he could be next.” (“Ky. Coalfield Residents Worry About Regulations,” AP, 6/3/14)

KY Man: “Dave Bailey, 59, a Democrat with a ‘Friends of Coal’ sticker in his auto repair shop… ‘It’s one of those things,’ he said. ‘They introduced all these regulations, and the trickle-down effect will hurt all of us.’” (“Democrats In Coal Country Run From E.P.A.,” The New York Times, 6/2/14)

KY Coal Miner: “Randall Parham, who earns about $19 an hour working at the Paradise No. 9 mine, said new restrictions set forth by the White House on Monday could endanger the livelihood of many in Kentucky. The state is required to cut its carbon emissions by 18 percent by 2030. ‘Coal is all that's here, that's the jobs,’ he said. ‘If you're not a doctor or a lawyer, coal miner is next.’” (“Kentucky Plant Emblematic Of Move >From Coal To Gas,” AP, 6/4/14)

KY Man: “Thirty-one-year-old Johnny Spears was a heavy equipment operator for Kentucky Fuels for 10 years when he lost his job last year. He's now working as a county animal control officer but with a much smaller salary. ‘It's killing the economy in our area,’ he said. ‘There's no money circulating. Businesses are hurt. Everybody's out of work.’” (“Ky. Coalfield Residents Worry About Regulations,” AP, 6/3/14)

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