Republican members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee planned to boycott the anticipated markup of the Kerry-Boxer climate change bill this week, Politico reported. Committee chairman Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., planned to attempt procedural measures that would allow markup to proceed as scheduled starting tomorrow. The legislation is co-sponsored by Sen. John F. Kerry, D-Mass.
Republicans claimed at least two members of their party needed to be present for markup to proceed, but a Boxer aide said "the Senator is going to use all the tools at her disposal" to overcome the boycott. Sens. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, and Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., led the boycott, and criticized Boxer for failing to work with Republicans and moving too quickly. Boxer countered by calling the boycott a mere delaying tactic and claimed that "their objections don't pass the smell test."
The committee Republicans stated: "Republicans are insisting on a full EPA analysis before a mark up. We are not opposed to a mark up, only on holding one this rushed."
- See related stories in Washington Post, Nov. 2; Dow Jones Newswires, Nov. 1; National Journal, The Hill, Reuters via the Washington Post, Oct. 31.
About Me
- Smart Climate Policy News Update
The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) is proud to sponsor the Smart Climate Policy blog and Web site - www.SmartClimatePolicy.org.
Organized in 1933, EEI is the association of U.S. shareholder-owned electric companies.
Our members serve 95 percent of the ultimate customers in the shareholder-owned segment of the industry, and represent approximately 70 percent of the U.S. electric power industry. We also have more than 65 International electric companies as Affiliate members, and more than 170 industry suppliers and related organizations as Associate members.