Senate Will Temporarily Shelve Big Energy Bill

By Linn Grubbstrom - Talk Radio News Service

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), alongside Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and White House energy chief Carol Browner, announced that he will introduce a slimmed-down energy package next week.

Reid said that while Kerry and Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) continue to look for support for their bill from utilities and other lawmakers, he will bring forth a series of measures involving oil spill response provisions and moderate energy proposals aimed at attracting bipartisan support.

While the announcement is being viewed as a setback to many who support climate legislation, Kerry said he remains optimistic. He compared the situation to healthcare reform, a landmark bill that took years to pass.

“This is not going to take that long,” promised Kerry. “It is not going to take close to that long.”

Kerry, however, admitted that getting Republicans to support his bill could take “months.”

In the meantime, Kerry said he supports efforts in the Senate to crack down on the oil industry. 

Pelosi Says Congress Must Focus On Energy Bill, Despite Massive Oil Spill

By Chingyu Wang-Talk Radio News Service

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Tuesday that the massive oil spill in the Gulf Coast must not deter Congress from passing new energy legislation.

"Certainly the risk that is presented by offshore drilling is something that has to be taken into consideration, but we must pass this [energy] bill," Pelosi told reporters.

Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), who accompanied Pelosi, said that the prevention of future offshore drilling disasters must be an important goal for lawmakers.

"[Congress must determine] whether or not we have a prevention system and a clean up system that is worthy of this century," said Miller.