The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committe begins marking up
major energy and climate change legislation today–though controversial
items in the legislation will not be addressed until after the two-week
Congressional recess, according to the New York Times.
The Committee will begin by taking up four energy bills supported by
Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and ranking member Lisa Murkowski
(R-Alaska). These bills include support for Department of Energy
research and development and a bill to improve the manufacturing sector’s efficiency and competitiveness.
Broader sweeping climate change legislation is sure to meet with stiff
opposition from Republicans and moderate Democrats. It unclear how soon
a bill may be brought to the Senate floor.
The Obama administration and Democratic Congressional leaders
have so far rejected the idea of presenting the legislation as budget
items. Doing so would allow passage in the Senate with a 51 vote
majority, instead of the 60 votes needed to avoid a filibuster standard
legislation. However, such measure would reduce the legitimacy of the
legislation and undermine efforts at building bipartisan consensus on
future issues.
Follow the link below to read extended coverage of the upcoming
legislative battle to be fought over energy and climate change.
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