Back From Recess, Congress Is Under Pressure to Act on Energy, Economy
But in the shadow of the presidential campaign, compromises could be elusive
With Congress back to work on Monday for a shortened session, energy issues are high on the agenda. So is a Democratic push for a second economic stimulus package, a proposal that draws GOP opposition. With elections—and another recess—around the corner, the prospects for breakthroughs are uncertain.
In the House, energy measures are likely to be taken up quickly. But, despite heavy pressure from Republicans throughout the August recess, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California isn't budging from her refusal to allow an up-or-down vote on additional domestic drilling.
Aides say Pelosi is assembling comprehensive legislation and choosing from a menu of options. Possibilities include releasing a small portion of oil from the 700-million barrel national stockpile known as the Strategic Petroleum Reserve; expanding drilling in parts of Alaska where it already is permitted; requiring major oil companies to invest billions in clean energy sources; and opening portions of the Outer Continental Shelf for drilling.
"There's a number of options out there, but no final decisions have been made," Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill says. Republicans want to expand offshore drilling, but one dismisses many of Pelosi's ideas as "failed policies of the past," some of which failed to attract sufficient support in votes earlier this year.
In the Senate, there appears to be growing consensus on an energy bill, though there's no certainty it will receive the 60 votes needed to pass.
The so-called Gang of 10, a bipartisan group that is trying to end an impasse over offshore drilling, has grown to 16 members, and several more senators will be on board before Congress returns, a Democratic aide says.
They're pushing what's called the New Energy Reform Act of 2008, intended to help transition the nation's motor vehicles to fuels other than gasoline and diesel. They also would expand offshore drilling to the eastern Gulf of Mexico and states off the Atlantic coast—Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia—provided it occurs 50 miles off shore and governors and state legislatures approve.
Another provision: a $2,400 consumer tax credit for people who buy hybrid vehicles or retrofit existing vehicles.
A leading figure in the Gang of 16, Democratic Sen. Kent Conrad of North Dakota, says the bill "puts everything on table—stronger conservation, more alternative fuels, and proposals for responsible offshore drilling."
On September 12, the Senate will stage a bipartisan energy summit. It likely will be held in one of the large Senate hearing rooms, though the location, witness list, and other details have not been firmed up. The summit could clear the way for debate and votes on the energy reform during the week of September 15.
Democrats are promoting a second stimulus package, with a possible $50 billion price tag, despite strong opposition from Republicans. Options include aid to state and local governments, or to the Gulf Coast region; infrastructure improvements; low-income heating assistance; energy rebates; more dollars for Medicaid; and even another round of tax rebate checks.
A spokesman for House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, Michael Steel, says it's difficult to comment on a possible package, "given that at various times it's included every pork-barrel item on the Democrats' wish list."
Steel says a key way to stimulate the economy is to "increase the supply of American energy to bring down gas prices." He's touting a Boehner measure, the American Energy Act, to expand domestic oil and gas production, increase renewable energy sources, and bolster investments in alternative fuel, clean-coal technologies, and nuclear power. "Our goal is not simply a drilling bill," Steel says.
Neither chamber will have much time to work. The House is set to adjourn September 26; the Senate's date is up in the air.
Reader Comments
Crude Oil
I'm a democrat(conservative) but I reject the notion from my party that it is the Bush policy that caused us to have high energy. I remember back around 2002 that Bush tried and tried to get the dems onboard to drill in ANWR. The dems said "no way jose". People out there...the increase on gasoline price, diesel price, high food costs, high prices on comodities such as clothing, tools, home electric and heating costs. The rash of airline price increases. High health care costs.
Also the increase in un-employment due to high costs for energy
and the high cost for transport of manufactured goods and the
delivery of raw material. My prediction is this: if the american people ELECT those in congress who wholeheartily supports DRILLING for oil with no gimmicks, wherever oil is discover like between Cuba and Florida, the east and west coast, the gulf of mexico and wherever on land, we could bring down gasoline down to $2.00 or under, and reduce the high energy cost such as home heating and electricity.
Furthermore, more profits for businesses thus eliviating layoffs
Food prices would come way down and more affordable. We will
be energy independant. You and your love ones can take that long awaited vacation by car. Airlines would become profitable and more affordable and many airline employ layoffs would again be rehired.If we fail to drill...what I'm talking about is a law that says all areas are open for drilling, and no add ons or gimmicks. But if we fail, we will see massive layoffs, plant shut downs, probably one airline still flying, un affordable food, heating and electric costs.
That new car that you bought and still making payments will become absolete. Last is this, Obama says he wants to phase out crude oil in 10 years, if that's true, is he going to buy back these like new useless cars? Electric cars are a joke....you get about 50 miles per charge...plug in and must wait 6 to 8 hours for it to charge it up. No way to go on a 1000 mile trip. And this is on flat terrain, a 30 degree hill will drain that battery in about 10 minutes. Consider that the US is not flat in many places.ENERGY SECURITY should be on every american mind.
Ask yourselves this...without crude oil would your job matter?
would putting food on your table matter? Would the economy matter any longer? How about national defense.....now you see the importance of strategic oil supply guarded jealously by
President Bush? This is why I do not fault Prez Bush about the economy. Bush can't create jobs, the only thing a President can do is to push for policies for businesses to entice them to grow their business producing more or new goods and services which will result in employing more people.The dems can lie all they want trying to blame the Prez for the high unemployment and slow economic numbers.I strongly believe that the Prez is doing the best he can despite our dependant of foreign oil and having a "DO NOTHING"democratic lead congress.
Pelosi and Republicans
To all those harping on Pelosi having financial interest in alternative energy. Well.. your right, although that is not the entire story as countless Republican politicians have their own financial interest in Big Oil as well President Bush and his father being prime and also obvious examples. What it comes down to is not a selfish democrat but many selfish politicians on both side of the party line taking care of their own financial interests. More of the same old same old in politics
Pelosi and Republicans
To all those harping on Pelosi having financial interest in alternative energy. Well.. your right, although that is not the entire story as countless Republican politicians have their own financial interest in Big Oil as well President Bush and his father being prime and also obvious examples. What it comes down to is not a selfish democrat but many selfish politicians on both side of the party line taking care of their own financial interests. More of the same old same old in politics
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