Energy spending bill fast tracked to Senate
To: American Nuclear Society
From: ANS Washington Office
Date: October 10, 2001
Re: Legislative Update on Energy Spending Bill
Earlier today, Senator Jeff Bingaman, Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, canceled the committee's plan to mark up a comprehensive energy bill. The decision was based on a request from the Senate Majority Leader, Tom Daschle, who wanted to avoid any contentious votes that were expected as the committee began the debate.
Instead, Senators Daschle and Bingaman have agreed to fast-track the bill which will bypass committee action and bring the legislation directly to the Senate Floor. Senator Daschle stated that he would schedule the energy package on the Senate Calendar prior to Congress adjourning this year, however, there has not been a firm commitment on a date from the Majority Leader. Senator Murkowski, the Ranking Minority Member, is now urging Senator Daschle to schedule a vote on the Senate Floor, stating that it could become a national security issue should the committee's work not receive any final consideration.
The source of contention rests with an amendment to allow drilling in the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge. Senator Bingaman's draft of the energy policy did not include this provision, and Republicans on the committee are expected to offer this amendment on the Senate Floor. Republicans generally want to open the refuge for oil and gas drilling as a way to reduce U.S. reliance on imported oil. President Bush has endorsed opening 1.5 million acres of the refuge's 19 million acres to exploration. Democrats oppose it as a short-sighted step that would harm a prize wilderness and do little for energy independence.
Senator Bingaman also expressed problems with the committee's jurisdiction over the legislation, stating that many of the provisions in the bill intrude on the jurisdiction of other committees in Congress. With time constraints and the amount of committee activity that must take place to pass the legislative package, there are concerns about members having adequate time to finish their business. The House has already passed comprehensive energy legislation, H.R. 4, that includes opening the refuge for drilling. The contents of this legislation can be found at http://thomas.loc.gov/.
We will provide further updates on the comprehensive energy package once the Senate has scheduled floor consideration for the bill.
