Inhofe amendment would let states control energy projects on federal land

摘要

Extending unemployment insurance and opening federal lands to oil drilling have almost nothing to do with each other -- except in the Senate, where a prominent Republican has proposed amending pending unemployment legislation with language giving states control over energy development on most of the federal estate. Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) submitted the amendment to S. 1845, a bill that would provide an emergency three-month extension of benefits for the long-term unemployed. The bill is currently pending on the Senate floor with another procedural vote expected as soon as this afternoon.