Amendment to Drill in the Arctic is Withdrawn; Not Enough Votes
The McConnell-Domenici amendment #4720 (American Energy Production Act) that would open up the Arctic to oil drilling failed to pass. Under a previous UC agreement, the amendment must receive 60 votes to be agreed to. The amendment was not agreed to by a vote of 42-56. Under the previous agreement, the amendment is withdrawn.
Remember Snidley Whiplash from the cartoons, the villain that would always say, “Curses, foiled again?” It’s how I picture the Republican obstructionists lead by Trent Lott. And a big ha, ha, ha, ha, ha from me and all the people who took the trouble to contact their senators to oppose 4720. Way to go.
Meanwhile, Senator Harry Reid’s amendment #4737 (To increase the supply and lower the cost of petroleum by temporarily suspending the acquisition of petroleum for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve) passed almost unanimously. Under a previous UC agreement, the amendment must receive 60 votes to be agreed to. The amendment was agreed to by a vote of 97-1.
I hope we can manage to keep out of the Arctic until this administration is gone. Whittling down the 29-39 Republicans in the senate poised to continue the fight for the ideals of the Bush/Cheney regime couldn’t hurt. The battle isn’t over. I’m sure.
For current results of votes in the senate read: http://www.senate.gov/galleries/pdcl/index.htm