EPW Walkout, Talks Between Leadership in Progress

The EPW committee continues its hostility between party lines as Democrats and Republicans argued over markup of the Freedom Act.

Republicans, again, walked out of committee, citing Democrats’ reversal on legislative compromises made Tuesday.

“The Democrats…attempted to blind-sight Republicans by breaking the bipartisan trust established last night and changed the bill,” said Senator Lamar Alexander of Tennessee.

The act, designed to research new energy alternatives, was significantly amended Tuesday, at which point Republicans and Democrats believed a compromise had been reached. Republicans agreed to strike legislation on drilling in ANWAR and new offshore oil drilling and exploration in the Freedom Act. In return, Democrats agreed to remove wording in the PRECEDE Act that would remove existing off-shore oil sites on the coast of California.

“The Democrat and Republican leadership last night came to an agreement that they would drop any legislation on off-shore oil drilling or ANWAR in exchange for the bill, as written, coming up for an up or down vote in committee without any amendments changed,” said Alexander.

“I understand that the Republicans are frustrated with the way their legislation is going,” said Chairwoman Barbara Boxer, “but I think that it is frankly disappointing that this is the way they continue to handle their frustration.”

According to Alexander, Republican confidence in the previous agreement was seriously jeopardized when Democratic senators raised issues with provisions in the act concerning nuclear energy.

Ranking Republican Senator, James Inhofe, pleaded with his Democratic committee members to refrain from striking in favor of bipartisanship.

“[It was a] simple misunderstanding regarding the concessions made last night,” said Senator Amy Klobuchar. “I want to reassure my Minnesotan constituents that everything is still going well in committee.”

Boxer is still hopeful that a resolution will be reached and legislation will be passed.