Energy Bill Blocked!

[BurtWorm]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A3307-2003Nov21?language=printer


washingtonpost.com
Energy Bill Vote Blocked
Senate Debate Continues on Measure

By H. Josef Hebert
The Associated Press
Friday, November 21, 2003; 12:00 PM


Opponents of a massive energy bill on Friday blocked the Senate from taking a final vote and sending the measure to President Bush.

On a 57-40 vote, supporters failed by three votes to cut off debate on the legislation, which they said would increase and diversify energy production and provide farmers an economic boost by expanding use of corn-based ethanol.

They needed 60 votes under the Senate's rules to close debate on the bill and move on to a final vote. The House passed the legislation earlier this week.

"This will not be the last vote on this bill," said Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn. "We're going to keep voting until we pass it and get it to the president."

[in_cog_ni_to]

1. Hallelujah!

Now we get to listen to the damn republicans whine all weekend. :mad:

[jmaier]

2. Who abstained?

Who were the three that didn't vote? Is there a link to get a roll call. I'd like to send supportive messages to the dissenting republicans and bitch at, er sensibly complain to, the "Ethanol" democrats.

[jhfenton]

3. Roll call vote link

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=108&session=1&vote=00456

[jhfenton]

4. Edwards, Kerry, and Hollings failed to vote

They would probably all be "no" votes anyway.

[drfemoe]

8. Exactly

so why not vote? This is why Kerry and Edwards cannot be seriously considered for the dem nomination. They won't even stand up for us now. At least Lieberman voted nay.

[Habibi]

12. I agree

put something on the goddamn Congressional record so we know where you really stand.

[Renew Deal]

10. Does Edwards ever show up in the Senate anymore.

These guys need to govern too.

[Tom Rinaldo]

5. It's not just the Presidency that counts

The Democrats currently have barely enough votes on any given important issue, with help from Republican mavericks after loosing some defectors of their own, to throw a monkey wrench into somw sweeping right wing Bush agenda items. In picking which Presidential candidate to back, I am also factoring in how the top of the ticket will play in swing districts and states across the nation. Who will have coat tails, and on the other hand, who might have grease on their jackets, leaving Democratic candidates fallen in their wake. If God forbid Bush wins the 2004 Election, a further congressional swing towards Bush would literally be deadly.

[jhfenton]

6. Frist voted "no."

"This will not be the last vote on this bill," said Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn. "We're going to keep voting until we pass it and get it to the president."

What's odd is that Frist voted against cloture. :shrug:

[GinaMaria]

11. He will bring the bill back

Frist will vote yes if he can peel off two more no votes and change them to yes. This still hangs by a thread. Keep the pressure on your elected ones.

[grannylib]

7. Awww...no government funded Hooters then??? How sad...

[onecitizen]

9. Sweet!!!! eom

eom