EPW Republicans Pleased with Post Walkout Proceedings

Environment and Public Works Committee Ranking Member Inhofe, and Senators Voinovich and Alexander issued press releases last night regarding the dramatic walk out they performed during the committee’s hearing.

Voinovich and Inhofe issued shorter statements focused on the positive effects of the demonstration.

“The issues are too important to be reduced to partisan back-and-forth of yesteryear. I want my four children and eleven grandchildren to be able to look back to the 111th Congress, and say, "I'm glad that I have renewable energy and a good American job because of their hard work in Committee,” Voinovich included.

Inhofe praised Senator Specter's environmental legislation introduced in the committee, and responded to the President’s remarks on the walk out, saying it “was a clear demonstration by the minority that the voices of millions of American taxpayers ought to be heard” and “Republicans regret that such an action was necessary.” He concluded, “Republicans continue to look forward to working with the Democrats over the coming days to pass legislation best serving the interests of the American people.”

While these two press releases were relatively tame, Senator Alexander went into great detail explaining his reasoning for helping lead the walkout. He called the democratic leadership’s actions “tyrannical” and said they “attempted to stifle debate in Committee”. Alexander argued he was trying to discuss the democratic cap-and-trade bill, which he felt “was so poorly written that it was a disgrace to the United States Senate…and all Americans”. In one portion of the bill which required a number, Alexander points out that it read “$60, $200”. The senator defended his actions, pointing out “I will do whatever is necessary to make sure that the voices of my constituents and the minority voice in the Senate is heard.”

Senator Alexander concluded by reporting his opinion that the walkout had “very positive consequences”, including the Democratic leadership’s decision to strike every part of the bill and insert a new bipartisan compromise amendment sponsored by Republican Senator Specter.