Posted on 04/08/2011 3:27:48 PM PDT by Qbert
An evolving deal to avoid a government shutdown would include a study of the economic effect of environmental regulations rather than Republican riders to block EPA rules on climate change and mountaintop mining, senior Senate Democrats and a key House Republican say.
That would be a major victory for Democrats and environmental groups who have been fighting to keep policy riders on a host of regulations out of any deal.
“EPA riders as proposed by the House will not be included,” Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) told reporters. He said the deal could include a study instead.
“It’s one of the proposals. It isn’t all done until it’s all done,” he said.
Senate Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) told POLITICO she believes the deal would be to study the economic costs of environmental regulations.
“It sets up a study committee — across the board, government, everybody’s sitting at the table looking at the impact of these regulations, EPA and Commerce. But we’re looking at it now,” she said. “There are no riders involving EPA. That is my understanding, period, and when I say my understanding, it is because there is no deal final. But at this stage, there are no riders.”
The study could end up echoing legislation from Reps. Jim Matheson (D-Utah) and John Sullivan (R-Okla.) that would require an interagency committee to analyze the cumulative impacts of several EPA rules “in an effort to better understand how these policies are impacting America’s global economic competitiveness, electricity and fuel prices, employment and reliability of electricity supply,” according to an April 4 statement from House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton.
The analysis in the Matheson-Sullivan bill would include the cumulative impacts of EPA’s rules on consumers, small businesses, state, local and tribal governments, labor markets and agriculture.
Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.), chairman of the Energy and Power Subcommittee, told POLITICO he has also “heard there was a study for costs, but we’re still pushing our greenhouse gas bill.”
On EPA greenhouse gas riders, he said, "All I know is, it's not an issue anymore. I guess that means it's not being pushed or that it was changed in some way that was acceptable."
Greenhouse gas restrictions are “not in the budget,” he added. "I think it's just dollar amounts is my understanding."
Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad said House Republicans on Thursday brought up the issue of EPA mountaintop mining rules but that since fell off the table. “They’ve apparently backed off of that,” said the North Dakota Democrat.
Boxer said there was “a lot of talks” initially about riders dealing with greenhouse gases “but I think the fact that we had our votes and they did so badly, they dropped it.”
A Republican plan to block EPA's ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions Wednesday received support from 50 senators, less than the 60 to overcome a filibuster and the 67 to defeat a promised presidential veto. A similar plan easily passed the GOP-controlled House on Thursday.
There was then word, Boxer said, “they would do something on mountaintop mining removal, … then apparently they walked away from that because that would have been very unpopular. I think, and that would have actually repealed some sections of the Clean Water Act, so they backed off.”
Robin Bravender and Darren Samuelsohn contributed to this report.
This article first appeared on POLITICO Pro at 3:12 p.m. on April 8, 2011.
Yes, they are...that's why the Dems avoided hearings last year...because they knew they would convince the public that CUTS needed to be made.
What happens when the unions march in the streets, and we get “Paul Ryan= Hitler” signs and death threats
Probably more of the same thing that's happening now...Obama's ratings will keep dropping as indies see what his base is like.
who can’t stand up in a minor fight like this one?
The GOP IS standing up and getting the vast majority of the cuts. This doesn't mean they will get 100% of what they want.
“The EPA, and the ESA, are what have this country on the ropes! Industry has it’s back upon the ropes due to EIS, regulation, and taxation/fees becuase of the government fundsd commies. For America to get real traction in the right direction, we need to get back on track with natural resource development.”
Exactly.
Why is this so difficult for our people to understand?
“The GOP IS standing up and getting the vast majority of the cuts. This doesn’t mean they will get 100% of what they want.”
33/100 Billion is far from a “vast majority”...
And you never cave in a negotiation with something important like this (and this damaging to our economy) without getting something substantial in return.
This issue is key. If the Pubs fold on EPA cuts it will signal their submissive behavior for the next 2 years. The damage EPA can and will do to the U.S. before 2012 is frightening. Kill it now while there's still a chance!
This $33 B (or $38 or whatever is turns out to be) should be combined with previous CR cuts that have been made. It's pretty close to the $100 B figure.
And you never cave in a negotiation with something important like this (and this damaging to our economy) without getting something substantial in return
What is substantial is that the Dems are giving WAY more on the cuts than we are. On what was supposed to be a Dem budget, getting them to agree on ANY cut is a big step. Especially since these CR negotiations are just Kabuki because the big cuts are ahead for 2012...which is why they're playing Kabuki now...to cut into time that should be allotted for 2012 hearings.
“Why is this so difficult for our people to understand?”
Because they don’t want to admit the the Republicans are just a bunch of jello spined idiots that are afraid of their own shadow?
“This $33 B (or $38 or whatever is turns out to be) should be combined with previous CR cuts that have been made. It’s pretty close to the $100 B figure.”
—Not even close.
“What is substantial is that the Dems are giving WAY more on the cuts than we are. On what was supposed to be a Dem budget, getting them to agree on ANY cut is a big step.”
—It’s 33 Billion out 1.65 Trillion. Many were cuts that the Dems proposed- you’re not going to be able to squeeze any more out of them. The idea is not to hope and pray that your opponent gives you something to work with... you find ways to force them to give you what you want.
And now the Dems know they can shut down the bigger 2012 budget battle. Just watch...
It is up to the Democrats to compromise on other things they might want ~ not ours.
Actually, I think it is.
And now the Dems know they can shut down the bigger 2012 budget battle
Don't think so. Or, at least, if they do try it will be over a debate about this huge cut vs. that huge cut which is a much better argument to have.
“Actually, I think it is.”
—Show your support then.
“Don’t think so. Or, at least, if they do try it will be over a debate about this huge cut vs. that huge cut which is a much better argument to have.”
—Honestly... do you really think Obama’s going to sign anything that even remotely resembles Ryan’s budget proposal into law??
Today...no.
After months of hearings when public pressure comes to bear and his re-election bid is around the corner? Much better chance.
Especially since another bill was brought forth in the House today for $9.2 T in cuts. Ryan's $6.2 T may be framed in the end as the "compromise".
Yeah, Obama’s going to sign into law a bill (provided it even gets passed in the Senate) that the Dems will incessantly claim “cuts benefits for Seniors”. (While Scott Brown and Lisa Murkowski, et al side with the Dems.) Right before the election. When he’s busy demagoguing about the need to raise the Bush tax cuts again.
Fat chance.
But then you already concede defeat in the bigger battle ahead. Odd.
WHO Axed them?? Then a study??? Someone needs to go NOW!
“You seem to claim to be angry at the Repubs for not doing what they should.”
—They told us they were going to cut 100 B this year, defund Obamacare, get rid of economy-destroying EPA regulations, etc, etc...
They’ve accomplished none of this.
“But then you already concede defeat in the bigger battle ahead. Odd.”
—Nice try.
Hey if you trust them after this, fine. Chuck Brown trusted Lucy with the football, is all I’m saying...
Well you do know that this is the 2011 budget they are currently arguing about, right? That was the budget that the Democrats should have passed but didn't? The Budget they were talking about is the 2012 budget. Secondly they have to have the Senate agree to something and they haven't. If both houses were won maybe it would be somewhat easier, ya think.
It's good to see that SOME people get it :)
“Well you do know that this is the 2011 budget they are currently arguing about, right? That was the budget that the Democrats should have passed but didn’t?”
—Who cares?? This was an opportunity to test strategies out for the next battle- they failed, and unfortunately I believe they learned very little.
Further, the House leadership could’ve defunded Obamcare under Rep. Steve King’s plan. They chose not to.
“Secondly they have to have the Senate agree to something and they haven’t. If both houses were won maybe it would be somewhat easier, ya think.”
—It’s not about control. It’s about utilizing your bargaining chips. All of the riders should’ve had a meaningful price. You don’t just throw away these things for nothing. And you don’t ever start with a lowball offer as the Repubs did, and expect an offer to somehow magically get bigger.
This was an atrocity.
Oh, you’re still here? You forgot something... (see comment 30):
“Actually, I think it is.”
—Show your support then.
NPR
EPA
Planned Parenthood abortions
Ubamacare
....Did the Republicans get ANYTHING?
Meet the new scumbags, same as the old scumbags.
(spit)
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