This promises to be a most entertaining process.
If I understand what they describe as the likely chain of events the Dem. leadership in the House will insert a drilling ban renewal into one of the omnibus appropriations bills or continuing resolutions. These are considered “must pass” items since a “government shutdown” hinges on the outcome.
Well, I say bring it on.
Republicans in Congress should fight tooth & nail to stop passage until the offending language is removed. What a great time to have a “real” filibuster that’s tied to a simple popular cause.
There will be huge pressures to pass the bills - not only to avoid the “shutdown” but also because 435 Congressmen and 33 or 34 Senators want to hit the campaign trail.
The President should get out front and brandish the veto pen. Everything that can be done to raise the stakes for the Dems should be on the table.
Pass the popcorn.
Office of Representative Heath Shuler Representing North Carolina’s Eleventh Congressional District For Immediate Release August 1, 2008 Contact: Hayden Rogers, Chief of Staff office: (202) 225-6401 ________________________________________________________________________ Rep. Shuler Introduces Legislation to Sustain Forests and Reduce Emissions Healthy Forests, Healthy Planet Act Gives Incentives to Reduce Carbon, Produce Biofuels Washington, D.C. – Representative Heath Shuler introduced legislation today to provide private landowners with an incentive to preserve forest land by expanding access to carbon trading and biomass markets. “Our forests can play an important, long term role in mitigating the effects of climate change and helping the nation become energy independent,” said Shuler. “Private landowners hold the key to saving our environment, and we should do everything we can to reward them for doing the right thing.” The Healthy Forests, Healthy Planet Act provides landowners with incentives to participate in carbon trading markets. Currently these markets are voluntary and operate under minimum quantity standards that usually exclude owners of small private forestland. The Healthy Forests, Healthy Planet Act provides the management infrastructure needed to hasten an orderly development of both carbon and biomass markets. The bill would track carbon and biomass projects on a regional basis, assist small forest landowners with quantifying their forest carbon and trading capabilities, and provide cost efficient mechanisms for ensuring that landowners use sustainable forest management practices. The Healthy Forests, Healthy Planet Act would also influence the biomass markets by encouraging the use of locally-produced biomass. This will promote regional energy independence and create entrepreneurial and employment opportunities. This legislation is cosponsored by Representative Peter DeFazio, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.