Democrats Threaten to Filibuster Energy Bill

[Nambe]

WASHINGTON (Reuters)

U.S. Democratic lawmakers warned on Thursday that they expect a filibuster against a "bad" energy bill being finalized by Republican negotiators if it harms consumers.

"Let me make it very clear, there will definitely be a filibuster in the Senate over a bad energy bill. There's just no question about that," Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon told reporters.

Wyden was joined at a Capitol Hill briefing by other Senate and House Democratic lawmakers, who complained they have been blocked by Republicans in helping to write a broad energy bill. ---

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[wryter2000]

1. Spines, they're growing spines

You go, Dems. :yourock:

[theivoryqueen]

2. yay - I'm sending out full on success vibes to those brave-ards.

[CheshireCat]

3. Go for it DEMS!!!

Fight with everything you've got. Please protect your constituents from being robbed blind by the corporatist and the Republicans. Without your help, we have no option but revolution!

[Flying_Pig]

4. Music to my ears!!!! Put away the damned tutus, and fight!!

They should filibuster damned near everything the Repugs want, until the new Dem president is sworn in. Why let the fascist thieves have one more thing? Don't give an inch. Our democracy hangs by the thinnest of threads, and history will record those who either supported it, or had a hand in detroying it.

[Hegemony Cricket]

5. At least they'll fight about this...

...the non-vote for the 87b still depresses me to no end.

Only bright spot being it makes the Republicans look gutless and less than unified behind their President.

Over course making someone look bad vs. helping to condemn our nation to a slow Soviet style decline isn't terribly balanced.

*sigh*

[lovedems]

6. I hope they don't back down.

If the dems keep fighting the administration they can use his "uniter not a divider" against him ALL YEAR before the election. Let's watch him pout when he doesn't get his way, it will be so becoming.

[burrowowl]

7. Go to it Dems!

About time!

[Tatiana]

8. YESSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Filibuster the damn bill! And let's see if any Democratic turncoats come out of the woodwork to support it...

[PROGRESSIVE1]

9. Zell Miller will call them "traitors" to which....

we should call him a "Dixiecrat", which is what he is!

[beyurslf]

11. They finally

read the Constitution to see what their duties and powers are! I was beginning to wonder if we had changed it to say Senators must always agree with the President.

[salin]

10. Call to urge this - TODAY n/t

[salin]

12. kick - CALL YOUR SENATORS!

Fillibuster to kill this bill.

It holds - further deregulation. Gives FERC the power to claim eminent domain on the behalf of energy companies for energy transmission (they can take your land). Includes more drilling in Anwr. Includes opening the door to offshore drilling. Has almost no provisions or tax incentives for alternative energies but has more than 16 BILLION in tax cuts/breaks for energy companies. It is AWFUL.

It was written in secret with no democratic input, but with full participation of industry lobbyists. Has turned into a huge report - in which the repubs will give the dems two days to review before voting.

[CityDem]

13. Obstrutionist Party

If we begin fillibustering all bills or nominees that we disagree with, it will be a disaster is the polls in 2004. The dems must realize that we are in the minority and the best way to write energy legislation is to win enough seats to become the majority. Until then, we must not obtruct every bill that does not meet 100% of our needs. I am afraid the senate dems are driving off a cliff and will become a permenant minority.

[0007]

14. It already appears organized crime has taken over.....

so what's the difference?

[salin]

15. This can't be undone - this is not obstructionist - this is permanent.

There is a reason that this bill has taken two years.

There will be no more local/state control over utilities - a big regional grid will supercede - with the FERC in charge - you remember FERC, that is the agency which didn't see manipulation in California's energy crisis - even after there was documentable proof. They are the ones who were given control over negotiations (after fraud was proven and conclusive) between the state (that lost 36+ Billion through market manipulation) and those companies caught cheating - FERC decided that all sorts of legit documents couldn't be considered - knocking the case down to very weak. When companies pay tiny weeny fines for egregious behavior - they will engage in the behavior again and just count the tiny weeny fines they might get as 'business expenses.'

Several studies have shown that this form of deregulation would actually further erode the infrastructure - increasing the likelihood of huge regional blackouts rather than decreasing them.

The tax breaks in this bill are huge and will push us further and further into the debt cycle that threatens the solvency of Social Security and Medicare.

Another level of deregulation is on the SEC side - and will make it easier and easier for the multilevel manipulation that was set in place and standard by ENRON by eliminating the Public Utilities Holding Companies Act.

There are provisions that open up ANWR to drilling, and open the door to off-shore drilling - which will effect all coastal states.

Most of these things are not easily reversable - so 'taking control later and changing it' doesn't solve the problem.

If the democrats need to be selective in what they try to block, so be it. But this is one fight that will have such a huge impact on citizens - especially those living on fixed incomes (where the inevitable HUGE SPIKES in energy costs will hit the hardest) and on our manufacturing sector - this is a fight they need to fight.

[salin]

16. kick and another call for: Call Your Senators! Support a Fillibuster! n/t

[dusty64]

18. A great idea!

This plan stinks and is nothing but a HUGE giveaway to rethug donors.

[frank frankly]

17. do it do it do it

fight!