Senate Bogs Down On Energy

We'll have a few days of debate, maybe a couple of amendments, a cloture petition, cries of outrage about filibusters, accusations of heavy-handed leadership, and then both parties can blame the other for inaction on the energy speculation bill.

I spoke with a number of Senators on Tuesday afternoon, and no one offered any hope that there would be a breakthrough deal on energy legislation.  Not before the August Recess.

Not before Labor Day.  And most likely not before Election Day.

The talking points from Democrats included the note that legislation on energy speculation was a "starting point."

Republicans want to add on to that bill all kinds of other things, like an end to the ban on new offshore oil and gas exploration.

Democrats are basically saying no thanks, we don't want to do that right now.

In the House, Democrats are going so far as to offer energy legislation only under an expedited process where you need a two-thirds vote to approve a bill.

That way, they don't have to allow any amendments by the GOP.

It doesn't matter to me who is "right" on this issue.  It would be nice to see it fully debated, with amendments and votes on the floors of the House and Senate.

But as I have written before, I've seen both parties do this when they are in the majority.  I've seen both of them try to snuff out almost everything offered by the other side, especially in an election year.

Sometimes, I do catch myself hoping that I won't have to watch that movie once more.

But there I go again, acting like a naive good-government type who thinks that lawmakers should rise above their party and do what's best for the future of the nation.

How silly.