Environment Committee Democrats Clear Climate Bill, Without Amendments, in Defiance of Republican Boycott; Finance and Agriculture Committees Are Next; Bipartisan Effort Seeks Common Ground

摘要

The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee on 11/5/09 reported S. 1733, the "Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act," by a vote of 11-1, with a boycott by all 7 Republican Members and opposition by one Democrat, Max Baucus (Mont.). The procedure was controversial. Chair Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) moved the bill with a simple majority by barring amendments, given the absence of any Republicans. The bill now heads to the Senate Finance Committee, chaired by Baucus, and the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, chaired by Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.). They will address other portions of it.