Democrats Rip GOP Energy Package

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Roll Call:

House Natural Resources ranking member Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Energy and Commerce ranking member Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) did not spare the harsh rhetoric when unloading on a Republican energy proposal slated for a House vote this week.

The legislation is a “monstrosity,” a “Trojan horse,” an “all-out assault” on the environment and a “massive giveaway” to the oil industry that would not lower gas prices by “one cent,” the two lawmakers said.

But while the criticisms were aimed squarely at the GOP, the words might also sting for a small group of Democrats who voted for the bills of which the energy package is comprised.

The GOP legislation consists of provisions in several bills that had previously been reported out of either Markey’s or Waxman’s respective committees.

In every case, the bills received some Democratic votes, and one bill was reported via unanimous consent.

In the Energy and Commerce panel, Democratic Reps. Mike Ross (Ark.), Jim Matheson (Utah) and John Barrow (Ga.) voted for several of the bills. During consideration of H.R. 4880, one of the bills that came before Energy and Commerce, an amendment of Waxman’s was adopted by voice vote.

In the Natural Resources panel, Democratic Reps. Peter DeFazio (Ore.), Dan Boren (Okla.) and Jim Costa (Calif.) voted for some of the bills.

H.R. 2752, included in the package, was reported out of Natural Resources by unanimous consent.

“It’s surprising to hear ranking member Henry Waxman lambast the House GOP’s energy bill for being an all-out assault on the environment when several of his members voted for it in committee, not to mention the fact that Mr. Waxman’s and [Michigan Democratic Rep. John Dingell’s] amendments were adopted during markup,” a GOP aide carped.

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It's murder! Except that Waxman's party voted for it...