Dems Go Big, Part 1: Bingaman Spill Bill Analysis

by RLMiller

The big news out of Washington on matters environmental has been a unanimous decision by Senate Democrats to craft an impenetrable package: a legislative strategy "more akin to the financial regulatory legislation than of health care, with Democrats bringing to the floor an impenetrable package that Republicans could not roadblock."  Specifically, they "plan to anchor the climate and energy effort to widely popular legislation that would overhaul offshore drilling regulations in the wake of the Gulf spill, and then dare Republicans to vote against it."

The "widely popular" legislation, already fast-tracked for action, is S.3516, the Outer Continental Shelf Reform Act of 2010 drafted by Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM).  Analysis of that bill below the fold.

continued at Daily Kos....

Why the Vote on Murky Air Act Matters. Call Today. Please.

by RLMiller

Tomorrow, the Senate will vote on S.J. Resolution 26, colloquially known as the Murky Air Act.  Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Baked Alaska) has introduced a resolution of disapproval of the EPA's ability to regulate greenhouse gases.  If it passes, the EPA will forever be barred from taking action against carbon pollution.  Forever.   Why should you pick up the phone today, when President Obama has already threatened to veto (1 pg pdf) the resolution if it passes?  Below the fold are answers and Senators most deserving of your phone calls.

continued at Daily Kos....