While watching cable news I saw a story that you wouldn’t normally hear about during an election season. I thought others would like to hear about it too. In the last week, House Republicans voted down on S. 3138 or the “End Oil Speculation Act of 2008″, while Democrats lead by Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) in the House blocked debate and talks of increased drilling in the outer continental shelf, only for Democrats to leave this last weekend for summer recess while Republicans have stayed calling for the return of the Democrats. What does spark interest though is the rise in the “Gang of 10″.
"Shame on Me"
That “Gang of 10″ includes these United States Senators:
- Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA)
- Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV)
- Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE)
- Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR)
- Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR)
- Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA)
- Sen. John Thune (R-SD)
- Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
- Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA)
- Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN)
These are the true bipartisan politicians who are reaching across the aisle to compromise on the ever growing concern of US energy concerns and decreasing dependence on foreign oil. The group unveiled their plan this last Friday, leaving time for the other 90 senators to ponder while on summer recess.
The plan reaches across party lines and across the aisle by “focus[ing] on moving Americans to alternative energy, conservation, and increasing domestic oil production.” “This bill would do more to lower gas prices at the pump” than any other plan, Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., told reporters at a Capitol Hill news conference. “Any change in production would send a powerful signal to markets” that would ease back on speculation that primarily Democrats have blamed as one reason for sky-high oil prices (Reuters Report).
Some like Nevada Senator Harry Reid have shown aggravation on some compromises in the Gangs legislation citing the exclusion of a clause similar to S. 3138 “specifically targeting the Commodities Futures Trading Commission and oil speculation” (Fox Report).
Other parts of the proposed legislation will call for increased research and drilling in the Outer Coastal Shelf in the southeast. As well as conservation of energies and using increased Oil taxes to move mobile transportation to another source of energy in an estimated 20 year window.
While many including some of the “Gang of 10″ members are skeptical on the passage of the legislation, this shows significant improvement over the previous pace in this 110th session of Congress. Good Job!
Before commenting on the rest of the article (which is good), I think to assume or believe that the attitudes of the Democratic House leadership is any different than those of Dennis Hastert and the 109th Congress is a very biased view. Dems are really only doing what the Reps did under their leadership. It’s politics as usual.
As for the rest of this, it’s good to see some consensus coming about to try and move forward on some energy ideas. Obviously I don’t agree on all of the things they’re planning but for the most part any progress is good progress. Personally, I’m not a huge fan of the OCS drilling for reasons which I’ll put up in a post relatively soon but, as Obama has been saying, if it is just one aspect of a comprehensive plan then I don’t see why we can’t allow some drilling.
For the most part this was a good post.
Comment by mendicantbias — August 5, 2008 @ 3:22 AM
Ha, I didn’t say it was any different than Hastert, and both sides are clearly at fault with this. When it comes to this piece of legislation, you can’t agree with everything, that is after all why a compromise is called exactly that.
When it comes to Obama, I would seem a bit concerned on an apparent shift. Before you get up in a hoot and holler and start blaming McCain, he never stated “I am against alternative energy”, but instead believes that increased drilling will lead to quicker relief for the general public, which many American agree with.
Comment by genuistim — August 5, 2008 @ 4:01 AM
Well, McCain shifted on OCS drilling as well so it’s not exclusive to Obama.
Comment by mendicantbias — August 5, 2008 @ 4:39 AM
Please provide a citation on McCain being anti-OCS as I cannot find one.
Comment by genuistim — August 5, 2008 @ 3:56 PM
http://thepage.time.com/obama-memo-on-mccains-energy-record/
I never said anti-OCS either, just said that he no longer supported the moratorium which was no different than Obama saying that if lifting the moratorium as just one part of a comprehensive plan then he would compromise on that.
Comment by mendicantbias — August 5, 2008 @ 8:06 PM
Ha, no offense, but I think the circumstances 10 years ago are different than they are today. A matter of weeks to months is a different story however, but attackin McCain by moving in a certain direction from circumstances of 10 years ago is extremely naive, especially when your other choice barley has two and half years of experience. Find something more current.
Comment by genuistim — August 5, 2008 @ 9:15 PM
The citizens of this country overwhelmingly want to drill for our own oil, offshore and every where else. Any so-called compromise with the Dems requires bowing to their environmental bosses, far left liberals, etc.
Comment by jrodell — August 8, 2008 @ 9:18 PM