Senate ready to rein in EPA?
Image by Getty Images via @daylifeThe Environmental Protection Agency debate lands in the Senate this week, amid the makings of a left-right coalition to mitigate the agency's abuses. Few other votes this year could do more to help the private economy—but only if enough Democrats are willing to buck the White House.This will be a test for how many Democrats are willing to stand up for their constituents and against the President and the EPA. In a sense this is a free vote for them because the President is very likely to veto the bill meaning the Republicans would have to find six more Democrats to go against the carbon phobia on the left.
This moment arrived unexpectedly, with Majority Leader Harry Reid opening a small business bill to amendments. Republican leader Mitch McConnell promptly introduced a rider to strip the EPA of the carbon regulation authority that the Obama Administration has given itself. Two weeks ago, Mr. Reid pulled the bill from the floor once it became clear Mr. McConnell might have the 13 Democrats he needs to clear 60.
The votes are now due as soon as tomorrow, and Mr. Reid is trying to attract 41 Democrats with a rival amendment from Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus. The Baucus plan is a political veneer that would exempt some farms and businesses from the EPA maw but at the cost of endorsing everything else. The question for Democrats is whether their loyalties to President Obama and EPA chief Lisa Jackson trump the larger economic good, not to mention constituents already facing far higher energy costs.
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The politically savvy move is to vote for the McConnell amendment. This is especially true of the 23 Democrats up for reelection. Republicans should remember what a weasel Max Baucus is on this issue. It is enough to earn a vote against him at the earliest opportunity.
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