TPMDC
Dems Abandon Comprehensive Energy Legislation
Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV)
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Light it on fire, and let its carbon pollution soar into the sky unrestricted: climate change legislation is dead.
At a press conference this afternoon, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), the Democrats' top climate and energy negotiator, acknowledged officially, and with obvious disappointment, that they lack the votes to pass legislation limiting carbon pollution, and that forthcoming energy legislation will be extremely narrow, in a bid to overcome a GOP filibuster.
"Many of us want to do a thorough comprehensive [climate and energy] bill that creates jobs, breaks our addiction to foreign oil, and curbs pollution," Reid said. "Unfortunately at this time we don't have a single Republican to work with in achieving this goal. For me it's terribly disappointing and it's also very dangerous. So the President, Senator Kerry and I and others, large numbers of my caucus will continue to reach out to Republicans and work with environmental and energy committees, communities, to garner the support we need to move forward on a much larger more comprehensive bill."
In the meantime, Reid said, the Senate will proceed imminently with a much smaller bill that will tackle four goals:
It will deal with BP and oil spill liability, invest in the manufacturing of natural gas vehicles, create a jobs program -- formerly called Cash for Caulkers, now called Home Star -- aimed at increasing home efficiency, and put money back in the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
Kerry described this as an "admittedly narrow, limited bill," but says he supports Reid's decision "because he's committed to do what we can in the time frame that we have before the August break."
Reid and Kerry, who stood at the mics with President Obama's EPA chief Carol Browner committed to tackling a larger climate and energy bill as quickly as possible.
"President Obama called me before this meeting and said, point blank, he is committed to working in these next days at a more intensive pace...to help bring together the ability to find 60 votes for that comprehensive legislation," Kerry said.
But with August recess fast approaching, and members hitting the campaign trail through November, the chances of passing comprehensive legislation this Congress are exceptionally remote.
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twirling fartknocker
July 22, 2010 3:24 PM
before anyone gets excited about natural gas as a solution to our energy problems, you MUST watch the documentary called Gasland: http://gaslandthemovie.com/. it's extraction is literally poisoning our country, like little oil leaks in backyards everywhere
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oleeb
July 22, 2010 3:36 PM in reply to twirling fartknocker
Concur 100%! It is an important and terrifying look at how Dick Cheney's meddling cleared the way for gas companies to poison our people, our water and our land.
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Indie Pro
July 22, 2010 3:47 PM in reply to twirling fartknocker
Hear, Hear!
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LBS
July 22, 2010 5:50 PM in reply to twirling fartknocker
Yes. Thank you! I so appreciate you saying this. I live near Dimmock PA. My in-laws live there, and I am worried about them.
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mans_best_friend
July 22, 2010 3:29 PM
I'm sooooo surprised. It matters little. The proposed legislation would have done next to nothing anyway.
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diamondjoe
July 22, 2010 3:36 PM in reply to mans_best_friend
Right, and that makes this whole thing even more depressing... we couldn't even get an impotent bill through. So I have to ask: What's going to happen in the near future that will make real climate legislation passable?
Seems to me Climate Change is going to become much more severe before we have the ability to do something serious about it.
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Mimi katz
July 22, 2010 3:50 PM in reply to diamondjoe
Maybe 125 degrees in Oklahoma in the summer, with even more tordanoes and other forms of extreme weather?
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The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
July 22, 2010 4:14 PM in reply to Mimi katz
150 degree temperatures accompanied by a hail of burning zombie goats from clouds that spell out the words "CO2 CAUSES GLOBAL WARMING--CUT IT THE FUCK OUT! s/ GOD" wouldn't change minds in Oklahoma.
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agio
July 22, 2010 6:02 PM in reply to The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
Lol at this.
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mans_best_friend
July 22, 2010 3:51 PM in reply to diamondjoe
The problem is that time is running out. What people don't understand is that global warming is a self-accelerating system. The more GHG we put into the atmosphere, the more the system self-accelerates. We have about a 10 year window to do something before no amount of reduction will be able to avert serious consequences. Moreover, even within that window, the longer we do nothing, the more severe the reductions will have to be. Given that we never seem to be able to muster the determination to change until the situation is palpably dire, I'm not optimistic that serious climate change can be avoided.
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Dave
July 22, 2010 4:49 PM in reply to mans_best_friend
Untill alternative energy souces are created on a mass scale and implemented to proviide a cheap easy alternative to what we have no amount of legislation will matter. People will always find a way around the law to get what they want. Money from the stimulus bill that goes toward research and the building of an infrastucture to allow green energy to compete with oil and coal wil do far more than Congress ever could
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Problematic
July 22, 2010 5:23 PM in reply to Dave
Totally agree. The solution to getting something through isn't taxing what we use, it's subsidizing the alternatives. The senate might not be able to get a cap and trade bill through, but it SHOULD be able to get a bill through that gives massive tax cuts (say a 200% write off on all green energy infrastructure that's built, plus another 200% if that's matched with power plant upgrades and/or closures). If ConEd can get a 2 billion dollars in tax incentives for building a billion dollars in wind farms, they are very likely to do it.
Ideally I'd like to see it combined with a repeal of oil/coal tax subsidies, but then you might not get to 50 votes in the senate.
And the best part about this? As a tax/revenue issue, it CAN be done via reconciliation. So why don't they? Interesting question....
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mans_best_friend
July 22, 2010 5:30 PM in reply to Problematic
Actually, you could accomplish a lot with nothing more than loan guarantees. There's a lot of technology already out there, but the cost of capital to build them is high. Loan guarantees would bring down the cost of capital to make them competitive.
Also, don't overlook CO2 sequestration. It's a demonstrated technology that could go a long way and is a lot closer to large scale application than most alternative energy sources. It would allow the use of abundant coal while capturing 80+% of CO2.
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Problematic
July 22, 2010 5:39 PM in reply to mans_best_friend
True enough. It's all in how far you're willing to go. Make it profitable (regardless of the method) and people will build it. Neither your idea nor mine should produce any Democratic opposition, though the GOP can be expected to filibuster anyway. That's why I'd go the tax route. Not only does it cut against the core philosophy of conservatives to give corporations as much money as they can shove in their pockets, but it can be done in reconciliation if cloture is invoked.
With that said, your idea would certainly cost less!
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Dave
July 22, 2010 5:52 PM in reply to Problematic
You forget that much of this was already in this stimulus. It may not sound like much but $30 billion toward green energy research was merely seed money to get the ball rolling.
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dtOZONE
July 22, 2010 6:02 PM in reply to mans_best_friend
and they won't understand it until it's too late. Take it from someone who has been preaching on this for years only to be dismissed as some crazy treehugger.
Build an ark.
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Joe
July 22, 2010 11:02 PM in reply to mans_best_friend
You have millions of brainless Christians rooting for global warming because they believe it's an imminent sign of the Rapture.
I wonder what they will say when the planet burns up and Jesus pulls a no-show?
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dtOZONE
July 22, 2010 5:58 PM in reply to diamondjoe
Once Florida is at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico, they might pass something.
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BeowulfSchaeffer
July 22, 2010 3:31 PM
"Reid and Kerry, who stood at the mics with President Obama's EPA chief Carol Browner..."
EPA's administrator is Lisa Jackson. Carol Browner served during the Clinton administration. She is presently Director of the White House Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy.
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oleeb
July 22, 2010 3:34 PM
Of course they don't need a single Republican to do the right thing but it's a whole lot more comfortable for the gutless, cowardly corporate Democrats to whine about the Republicans than it is to do what is right for the country and the future of the world. What a pathtetic bunch of pussies these guys are. Oy! No wonder people are turned off by the Democrats of DC.
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Dorn76
July 22, 2010 3:51 PM in reply to oleeb
Umm yeah, they do need GOP votes. Or Coal Dems, one or the other.
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FreeRider
July 22, 2010 4:12 PM in reply to Dorn76
They need both. Even with all dems on board, they can't pass legislation without some republican support.
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chameleon
July 22, 2010 8:00 PM in reply to FreeRider
Oleeb really should really join the republican party. He would be right at home with his "NO" on everything.
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MobiusKlein
July 22, 2010 3:51 PM in reply to oleeb
With the current Senate rules and party splits, you do need one Republican vote.
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jdb316
July 22, 2010 3:55 PM in reply to oleeb
I agree about the Senate Democrats being a gutless bunch. But they don't have a filibuster proof majority, and this bill can't be passed via reconciliation. So what can they do?
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FreeRider
July 22, 2010 4:16 PM in reply to jdb316
You mean the gutless senate that has passed more major legislation than in any congress since the mid-1960s? Is that the gutless senate you're talking about?
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chameleon
July 22, 2010 6:26 PM in reply to FreeRider
Pathetic isn't it. "Nattering nabobs of negativism"
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agio
July 22, 2010 5:59 PM in reply to oleeb
So long as it's 59-41 and the filibuster rule remains in place there isn't much Dems can do in the Senate.
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Clear
July 22, 2010 3:34 PM
Yes
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Maritza
July 22, 2010 3:34 PM
Well then the Senate should pass an "energy" bill and then combine it with the House bill in conference for an comprehensive bill.
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Maritza
July 22, 2010 3:36 PM
Because of the coal Democrats they NEVER had 60 votes.
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Mimi katz
July 22, 2010 3:49 PM in reply to Maritza
I'm sure they will all be much happier to see the EPA regualte coal-fired plants unde rthe Clean Air Act and make them clean up SOX and NOX and other pollutants and have CO2 emmissions cut as a side benefit. Regulation is going to happen, and it is just a matter of how much damage the coal industry does before that happens.
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The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
July 22, 2010 4:22 PM in reply to Mimi katz
Coal state Democrats would much rather see the EPA regulate C02 under existing than have to cast a vote on an actual new law. Then they can lambast the EPA while not actually doing anything to hinder them.
People whose livelihoods depend on coal know full damn well it's destroying the world. That's why they go so psycho angry at any politician who tries to stop it. Same dynamic was at play in tobacco states before they collapsed. It's just how people are.
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mcc
July 22, 2010 6:30 PM in reply to The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
rather see the EPA regulate C02 under existing
Actually, that sounds like a pretty good idea to me too. Why are we not just going ahead and doing that?
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chameleon
July 22, 2010 8:03 PM in reply to The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
People in the gulf states still want oil drilling even after this huge disaster. You are so right, it's the way people are.
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Bearpaw
July 22, 2010 3:39 PM
Right. There's a major environmental catastrophe still in process, so the time isn't right to push for even limp, watered-down, pre-compromised legislation.
Pathetic.
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mcc
July 22, 2010 3:42 PM
What happened to "utilities-only" cap and trade?
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aq
July 22, 2010 3:43 PM
Lump climate change into a jobs bill. Make it a green jobs bill. Let Van Jones run it.
Wait a tick.
Climate bill and Jobs bill go hand in hand. Bam.
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Indie Pro
July 22, 2010 3:43 PM
Well, you can't say the President and the Democratic Congress didn't fight for it, tooth and nail.
oh wait. Yes, you can.
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Indie Pro
July 22, 2010 3:46 PM in reply to Indie Pro
and though I'm sure it will be called, "The Most Historic Blah-Dee-Blue since Whenever:
It will deal with BP and oil spill liability, invest in the manufacturing of natural gas vehicles, create a jobs program -- formerly called Cash for Caulkers, now called Home Star -- aimed at increasing home efficiency, and put money back in the Land and Water Conservation Fund
these are good things.
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dtOZONE
July 22, 2010 6:01 PM in reply to Indie Pro
Actually you can, they fought it through the House last year where it very neary went down in flames.
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Ahmedsaid
July 22, 2010 3:44 PM
Climate change? That's a snow job.
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jonez
July 22, 2010 3:47 PM
that's par for the course. The Repukes do not care about our planet, are you kidding me. They would sell their mother for a promise of profits and future control.
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several
July 22, 2010 3:47 PM
"And we never failed to fail, it was the easiest thing to do."
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Barry Ragin
July 22, 2010 3:49 PM
formerly called Cash for Caulkers, now called Home Star
I suppose they're going to license this guy to be the new spokesperson:
http://www.homestarrunner.com/
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Max Thrax
July 22, 2010 3:50 PM
I always wondered why the Incas would just walk away from their cities and abandon their civilization to go back to the jungles and start over. I get it now.
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Mimi katz
July 22, 2010 3:52 PM in reply to Max Thrax
You mean the Mayans. The Incas wwere up in the Andes. But you are right. There are cities abandonned in many places when the water ran out too.
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Max Thrax
July 22, 2010 3:56 PM in reply to Mimi katz
Oops, you're right. As a half a Mexican I really should know this.
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mcc
July 22, 2010 3:54 PM
So I'm kind of rolling my eyes at the "IT'S HORRIBLE THIS FAILED, AND IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A SELLOUT EVEN IF IT HAD PASSED" thing. I think it's worth passing the most expansive energy bill we can pass right now no matter how small or large that is, and I don't believe in the magical filibuster fairy that means legislation that doesn't have the votes can pass can do so anyway as long as Democrats "show backbone"
But: The thing that seems frustrating about this is that we're not just passing a watered down energy bill, we're giving up other things to pass the watered down energy bill. Why did we not move forward to the immigration bill? Why are we not just shutting down the entire Congress insisting nothing will happen at all until the Republicans let us pass a larger jobs bill? The main answer I can see to these questions is that the Senate needed to pass this energy bill first. But now we're doing this to pass an energy bill that Reid himself calls "terribly disappointing" (great messaging, Reid! You sound just like a progressive blogger).
TL,DR: Why let Lindsay Graham demand that climate legislation be considered before immigration reform, if he won't follow this up by voting for a climate bill that's worth delaying everything else over?
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daveinnc
July 22, 2010 4:40 PM in reply to mcc
Because Graham's dumb like a fox. Now we have to wait until fall, or perhaps until the new congress is sworn in next year, for any likelood of real progress on energy or immigration.
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Steve LaBonne
July 22, 2010 3:57 PM
The fight now is to keep the EPA from being hogtied. Jello Jay the Coal Troll has already co-sponsored a bill to block the EPA from regulating greenhouse gases as pollutants. Blocking this is critical.
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dal
July 22, 2010 3:58 PM
Whatevs. What's the worst that can happen anyway? I mean, you know, the re-insurance companies suggest there's a shit-ton of cash to be made if you just bet on the right horse here... http://www.swissre.com/rethinking/climate/
-effed
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July 22, 2010 4:06 PM
Once again, way to go Massachusetts for electing a Republican. Way to friggin go. FAIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Problematic
July 22, 2010 5:34 PM in reply to Bren
The Dems would NEVER have gotten to 60 on their own. Neither WV senator would vote for a bill that hurts coal. And those are just the most obvious no votes in the caucus. They need the GOP and they just played the Maine senator card on unemployment. It's too soon for more 'treason' on their part. Face it. The Dems just don't have the votes when working against a unified opposition that had hitched it's future to blind obstruction. The worst part is that the voters will almost certainly reward it!
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Max Thrax
July 22, 2010 4:10 PM
Maybe they heard that Glen Beck was going to be mean to them tonight.
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Texar
July 22, 2010 4:21 PM
Hey, what statesmen these guys are! Imagine if we were in the process of building a country right now. Wait a minute! We ARE building a country. Unfortunately, it's not the one we live in.
We. Are. So. Screwed.
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ansaheli
July 22, 2010 4:30 PM
Dear United States,
You are producing a gigantic portion of the world's CO2 emissions. Even if we cut down significantly on our emissions (and managed to talk China into it), we'd still be sort of screwed. And our economies would collapse as industry would flock to you.
Do not make us act in self defence.
Regards,
The Rest of the World
PS. If you kill your economy off with austerity, that works too. No economy, no CO2 emissions. They're already down because of the current recession.
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dtOZONE
July 22, 2010 6:09 PM in reply to ansaheli
Dear Rest of the World,
Shut the fuck up. We'll do what we want, thanks. If it weren't for us, you'd all be poor, and if you fuck with us, we'll destroy you.
Love,
United States.
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Historian
July 22, 2010 8:21 PM in reply to dtOZONE
What makes a nation great? Is just saying that we are great proof?
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dtOZONE
July 22, 2010 8:30 PM in reply to Historian
Define great.
If by great you mean being a leader for good in the world, then the Untied States is no where near "great"
if by great, you mean powerful, well, then we're great because we can kick the shit out of anyone we want anytime we want. Or so we're led to think.
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ericf
July 22, 2010 4:44 PM
Kill the filibuster. Build in a way for a minority to fore a lengthy debate, but this ability to stop anything ever getting done has to stop.
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pepe
July 22, 2010 4:56 PM
The good news is my coal stock I bought a few weeks ago is up 9% on the news plus the stock market was up 201 points today so I am not too upset at this development. As soon as I sell the coal stock I am going to hope they pass a meaningful cap & trade bill eventually. I feel so dumb for investing in a coal stock but it was on sale,and I was counting on warm weather spurring demand then after I bought it they put it on the clearance rack... finally I am within 20 cents of breaking even now.I will never ever buy a coal stock again.
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Silence
July 22, 2010 5:10 PM
Oh, I'm so disappointed. The American public didn't want cap n' tax. That means it would have been the perfect topping for the sh*t sandwich being fed to the country.
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Hobbes83
July 22, 2010 6:04 PM in reply to Silence
So let me get this straight. You're comparing health reform, wall street regulation with a CFPA in it, and bringing the country back from one of the worst financial environments since the depression is roughly equivalent to two poorly managed wars (one that we were lied into), record surpluses that turned into record debt, a financial collapse, and tax cuts for the rich who didn't need or asked for. Good old Silence, still trying to divide by zero.
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Silence
July 22, 2010 6:26 PM in reply to Hobbes83
And, it's all so much better now!!
Good Gawd. You folks are delusional.
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Hobbes83
July 22, 2010 7:31 PM in reply to Silence
Yes, your logic and critical thinking skills, or on this matter the lack thereof, makes your point utterly useless.
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chameleon
July 22, 2010 7:58 PM in reply to Hobbes83
Hello Hobbes. Lars, Marinus, Ivy and I all missed you very much. Good to see you. Now say hello to me.
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Hobbes83
July 22, 2010 8:57 PM in reply to chameleon
Hey Chammy! I took some time off to spend with the family, and to be honest with you, I got sick of all the posts on this site. Either right-wing talking points, or more whining from the firebaggers. Anyways, with this story about Shirley Sherrod, I'm back in full-force.;) Cue bwakfast, truthseeker77, or another dissenter in 3...2...1...
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chameleon
July 22, 2010 9:20 PM in reply to Hobbes83
Hey you. I am so glad you took that time. It is definitely necessary and you know what, so have Lars, Marinus and I gotten pretty sick of it all. Marinus left TPM. He's had it and Lars is mostly on the periphery and I have cut back too (mostly necause I have been so busy = filing Motions forf Summary Judgment in three case - yikes) but I am also very tired of the whining and complaining. I expect stupidity and insults from the thugs but when it comes from within your own party, it gets pretty old. These folks can't "see the forest for the trees". I was unhappy with the handling of the Shirley Sherrod affair because they fired the woman without asking any questions, but to get snookered by Breitbart and Fox News was very disappointing indeed. I hope a lesson was learned
Good to see you - Go kick some ass. FreeRider's still here holding down the fort for certain. Ivy has been asking of you fondly also.
I'll be watching you. (smile)
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Hobbes83
July 22, 2010 11:12 PM in reply to chameleon
(picking up the sword) Don't worry, I got you guys. As for Lars and Marinus, tell them that even though they are old, they shouldn't give up, when you do that, they win.;)
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Historian
July 22, 2010 5:26 PM
At what point should countries most responsible for the climate crisis that also refuse to act to reduce their emissions face the same international treatment that South Africa earned during the Apartheid era?
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dtOZONE
July 22, 2010 6:07 PM in reply to Historian
haha, cause there's anyone that has that power over the United States?
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Historian
July 22, 2010 8:24 PM in reply to dtOZONE
The bigger they come the harder they fall.
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LBS
July 22, 2010 5:43 PM
What the dems have left should be defeated. It is a gift to Pickens and the natural gas industry -- and Halliburton that has made 83% profits this year through their dirty role in NG production.
The bill subsidizes a NEW fossil fuel industry, one that does very little to lower CO2, but has been shown, in thousands of cases, to lead to aquifer contamination, high C02 and methane in the atmosphere in the production stages (which this bill does nothing to redress) to use billions upon billions of gallons of water, to lead to toxins in the atmosphere that cause rare cancers and neurological disorders, and that leave toxins in the water.
Kerry has no business putting his name on this bill. It is a sham and a shame and subverts everything it is supposed to stand for. I hope it dies, and dies quickly.
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cmmc
July 22, 2010 5:58 PM
Sickening. Just sickening.
The Dems are DEEP trouble in November, and if the Repubs take control, we're in for an all-out, decade-long Depression. Book it.
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chameleon
July 22, 2010 6:15 PM in reply to cmmc
Bullshit. Don't buy into the hype. The dems will maintain control of both houses. You progs just need to keep your chins up and vote for the dems instead of whining and complaining that nothing is good enough. If we let the thugs back in you really will have something to whine and complain about.
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cjop
July 22, 2010 6:06 PM
Wow. Who would have thought this would happen?
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justperceptions
July 22, 2010 6:15 PM
Make the Republicans actually filibuster!! I understand consensus building, but it's all politics. Make them stand up there in the spotlight crying against being stewards of our Earth. I am tired of idle threats holding up proceedings. Let's take this opportunity to let the GOP filibuster while we spread the cause of Climate Legislation over the radio, tv, and intertubes.
We've managed a successful hackjob with ARRA, Healthcare and Education Reconciliation, Financial Reform, and unemployment benefits. It's time to actually take a stand for something. Climate Legislation should support clean energy, tax dirty energy, and get everyone on track to a more sustainable environment... starting here, spreading globally with clean energy business.
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cosliberal
July 22, 2010 6:19 PM
By the time Reid finished watering it down to meet Rahm's requirements and get one or two republicans to say they would vote for it (all the while knowing they won't) it wouldn't be worth the paper it was printed on. Can we ever have congressional democrats with the balls to govern?
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LBS
July 22, 2010 6:26 PM
A reactive response to the issue of the current administration:
I have been a great supporter of Obama, but lately I feel about as good about him as I did about Bush -- which is silly of me, I know. But damn -- where are the man's balls? And why in hell is his justice department carrying out Bush's policies better than Bush did? And why in hell did Salazar grant more leases than the Bush admin?
Why is Salazar still in his job?
I just feel discouraged as heck lately. I don't even need Obama to be a progressive, but I sure would like him to be better than Cheney. Now he just feels like a younger, slimmer, "hopier" (kind of like "truthier") Cheney.
Okay, end of very illogical rant. The above is just a feeling -- but I wish that Axelrod would realize that we don't give a darn about polls; we want results.
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chameleon
July 22, 2010 8:04 PM in reply to LBS
Glad you said it was an illogical rant - that was my next sentence. Come on. Please stop the whining. You really think Obama is Cheney or even close? WTF???
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LBS
July 22, 2010 10:09 PM in reply to chameleon
It's not completely silly -- have you seen what the Justice Department has been up to lately?
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July 22, 2010 11:25 PM in reply to LBS
Some need to have their commiseration and that's fine. It is frustrating, after all, and the consequences are potentially deep. Fact is, things are not being worked on as best they could be, and O isn't doing all he can to put this thing on the front burner. What do we expect from China et al. if a developed nation like the U.S. can't get it's act together on pricing fossil carbon emission and channeling permit proceeds and some of the trading profits to energy reform?
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Philv
July 22, 2010 6:49 PM
Forget 60, I'd be shocked if they had 50 votes. This issue is analogous to Civil Rights in that it cuts across parties. Which means you'll need Republicans to pass it, but since that is absolutely impossible right now (and probably will continue to be until 2013), bill is dead.
All the belly-achers, can you give me the 50 D votes for comprehensive reform? (and let's save the whole, anyone can just be intimidated by the President into voting for anything)
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destor23
July 22, 2010 7:23 PM
I suspect that people are right that some Democrats would have filibustered this too. But you know which Republican would have voted for it back in the day? McCain. Not anymore though.
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SkepticalCidada
July 22, 2010 8:19 PM
Another failure for the bumbling Obama administration.
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BlindBat
July 23, 2010 6:48 AM in reply to SkepticalCidada
This was in the US Senate. Still need 60 votes to overcome a filibuster. How would you make it happen?
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FlownOver
July 22, 2010 9:36 PM
This is why the DSCC will never see a nickel of my money. No guts. They won't even try!
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BlindBat
July 23, 2010 6:51 AM in reply to FlownOver
60 votes are still needed in the US Senate to overcome a filibuster. Pretend you are the leader of the Senate, with 59 votes. How do you make it 60 or more?
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Joe
July 22, 2010 10:57 PM
I never expected them to pass anything. Their timid track record shows that they deserve to be defeated in November.
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Squire T
July 22, 2010 11:05 PM in reply to Joe
Yes, their track record. lets look at Obamas track record this week...
Issued an Executive Order on the Stewardship of the Ocean, Our Coasts, and the Great Lakes.
Signed the The Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2009, creating the strongest consumer protections in our country's history.
Signed the Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act as a part of his Accountable Government Initiative, saving us tens of billions of dollars in erroneous payments.
Ushered the Tribal Law and Order Act through Congress.
Finally got the Senate to extend unemployment insurance.
Nominated marshals and judges and ambassadors (all career Senior Foreign Service members, by the way).
Expanded the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Target for Federal Operations.
Saw the Senate Judiciary Committee approve Elena Kagan's nomination and send it the floor.
And hosted UK Prime Minister David Cameron.
So yeah, this week's track record is real timid.
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