House passes bill to boost refinery capacity

[wildeyed]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The House narrowly approved a Republican-crafted energy bill Friday aimed at encouraging construction of new refineries, although opponents said it would do nothing to ease energy prices while handing unneeded benefits to a profit-rich oil industry.

snip...

The bill passed 212-210. Its prospects in the Senate were uncertain.

The vote, which was supposed to be taken in five minutes, lasted more than 40 minutes as GOP leaders searched for the last two votes they needed to get the bill approved. They buttonholed lawmakers for last-minute lobbying as Democrats complained loudly that the vote should be closed. Finally two GOP lawmakers switched from "no" to "yes," giving the bill's supporters the margin of victory.

"Is this the House of a Banana Republic?" Rep. Henry Waxman, D-California, shouted at one point, expressing his frustration about the GOP holdup of the final tally. No Democrats voted for the legislation.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/10/07/katrina.energy.ap/index.html

[babylonsister]

1. And don't those lucky companies get to build on

federal - OUR - land? That makes me want to hurl.

[tonkatoy57]

2. "Is this the House of a Banana Republic?"

Yep.

If I recall, this is the second or third time they have held open the vote until they got the results they wanted. Again, if I remember, before this administration holding a vote open had only been done once in House history. It's always been considered a no-no. But hell, with these crooks they just don't give a shit.

[sabra]

3. "shame shame shame" was being chanted at the end!

[wildeyed]

5. Is there going to be a rerun of the cspan tape?

I am dying to see it.

[rodeodance]

6. Tom DeLay was on the floor twisting arms--says msnbc just now. Drats.

[sabra]

10. son of....

[Warren Stupidity]

59. Spinal infusion?

Lets just hope that the Opposition Party is finally waking up to its real responsibilities.

[madfloridian]

4. "No Democrats voted for the legislation."

I am very proud of them.

[rodeodance]

7. $$ for oil companies while they are making record profits.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

8. We need to make sure this gets out

because the pukes will spin this that it will somehow bring down gas prices.

[rodeodance]

15. that was their main argument.

[Spider Jerusalem]

9. Pissing into the wind.

This isn't going to accomplish much of anything; it takes roughly ten years to build a refinery. And the issue of declining global oil production and sharp increases in demand mean that when these refineries ARE built, IF they are, odds are they'll sit idle for want of oil to refine. If these fuckwits in Congress were serious about securing America's energy needs they'd be voting on funding R&D and implementation of alternatives, not voting to build oil refineries.

[rodeodance]

11. and the Repugs would not include fuel efficiency measures.

Attempts to add requirements that automakers increase vehicle fuel economy and a measure aimed at producing more natural gas were thwarted by GOP leaders who strictly limited the ability of lawmakers to amend the bill.

[rodeodance]

12. i can not understand how Repugs can break the rules to extend the time

to get the votes. they did this with the drug vote also (think it was this bill).

Why are there no repercussions--other than the outrage by Dems-which no one listened to anyway!

[Hobarticus]

14. Who'd spank them, as needed?

The President?

The courts?

The lunatics have taken over the asylum. There's nothing that can be done....until '06.

[alarimer]

56. They are cheaters

Just like with elections. They can't win honestly so they cheat.

[angryxyouth]

68. They did the same thing with the CAFTA vote.

I hate those MFs:banghead:

[rodeodance]

17. Pelosi said the Repugs are again using Katrina to advance their agenda.

.....But opponents said the legislation fails to address the rising cost of natural gas -- which will cause heating costs to soar this winter -- or deal with high prices motorists are paying at the pump. Instead, they argued, it will allow the oil industry to avoid environmental rules and force states and communities to accept refineries they don't want.

"Using Hurricane Katrina as their excuses the Republicans are again pushing their special interest agenda," said Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California, including "all the special favors to the industry that were too extreme" for Congress last summer when it passed energy legislation.
........

[rodeodance]

18. "The bill weakens state and federal environmental standards"

"The bill weakens state and federal environmental standards ... and gives a break to wealthy oil companies while doing little or nothing to affect oil prices," complained Rep. Sherwood Boehlert, R-New York, one of 13 Republicans who voted against the measure.

With prices soaring, "oil companies now have all the profits and incentives they need to build new refineries" without government help, he maintained.

[rodeodance]

13. " Democrats complained loudly "

[Warren Stupidity]

60. Democrats should consider walking out.

[sandnsea]

63. The Senate did, last night

They refused to show up for hours, no quorum, no vote. Did it get reported on the news? Nope. And I don't know what happened today, just got home a little bit ago and trying to catch up.

[OKNancy]

16. A little more

Democrats in the chamber chanted "shame, shame, shame" as the final tally was announced.

When over two dozen Republicans initially voted no, DeLay, Barton, House Speaker Dennis Hastert and new Majority Leader Roy Blunt circled the chamber and cajoled the holdouts.

The palm-sweating vote switched from "yes" to "no" several times, but Republican Rep. Mike Simpson, the speaker pro tempore, did not gavel the vote closed until it swung in the Republicans' favor.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N075245.htm

[rodeodance]

19. Tubbs-Jones speaking on House floor about this now.

[rodeodance]

20. she is reciting off other times when Repugs extended vote to twist arms

to get needed votes.

[rodeodance]

21. she says it is 'shameless conduct" by the Repug leadership!!

[rodeodance]

22. nominate

[RSchewe]

23. GOP extends vote time, then closes early before Dems can return to vote..

Pelosi calls conference... Developing...

http://www.rawstory.com/

(no direct link yet)

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

24. Whoa

This is war.

[Stand and Fight]

25. I'm so fucking SICK TO DEATH of these bastards.

Enough already -- We need to start pushing back -- hard.

[blindpig]

29. no, no, no, gotta keep the powder dry.

:sarcasm:

[mom cat]

26. I hope she slams them hard. Wonder what the vote was about?

[truebrit71]

28. Another gift to the oil industry...

...oil refineries specifically...

[OKNancy]

27. Mainstream media has it

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/10/07/ap/business/mainD8D3CGQO0.shtml

AP) The House narrowly approved a Republican-crafted energy bill Friday aimed at encouraging construction of new refineries, although opponents said it would do nothing to ease energy prices while handing unneeded benefits to a profit-rich oil industry.

snip

Critics argued it would allow the oil industry to avoid environmental regulations that would lead to dirtier air.
The bill passed 212-210. Its prospects in the Senate were uncertain.

The vote, which was supposed to be taken in five minutes, lasted more than 40 minutes as GOP leaders searched for the last two votes they needed to get the bill approved. They buttonholed lawmakers for last-minute lobbying as Democrats complained loudly that the vote should be closed. Finally two GOP lawmakers switched from "no" to "yes," giving the bill's supporters the margin of victory.

"Is this the House of a Banana Republic?" Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., shouted at one point, expressing his frustration about the GOP holdup of the final tally.

No Democrats voted for the legislation.

-----------
another link in the other thread about this:

Democrats in the chamber chanted "shame, shame, shame" as the final tally was announced.

When over two dozen Republicans initially voted no, DeLay, Barton, House Speaker Dennis Hastert and new Majority Leader Roy Blunt circled the chamber and cajoled the holdouts.

The palm-sweating vote switched from "yes" to "no" several times, but Republican Rep. Mike Simpson, the speaker pro tempore, did not gavel the vote closed until it swung in the Republicans' favor.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N075245.htm

[merwin]

30. That sounds like a different description to me....

we'll see what rawstory comes up with though

[CitrusLib]

33. I thought the same thing. Loved the Banana Republic quote though.

[merwin]

38. It's the truest quote I've heard all day though.

[halobeam]

34. Glad you saw it that way, so did I.

Guess we will be waiting for Raw Story, but this makes it sound like that's it.

come on, please bring on that conference... btw, do conferences do anything anyway?

[OKNancy]

39. It will just be a rehash

of other news stories.

THis is the same incident.

[Zhade]

31. Waxman nailed it. We're a fucking banana republic.

I've really started feeling that reality this past week, with the laughable "opposition" from the Dems regarding Roberts (and presumably Meirs, though I'd love to be proven wrong on that one).

[KittyWampus]

36. That's A LIE. The GOP Didn't "Search" For Votes. They Lost Then Kept

the vote open until they forced some GOP'ers to switch.

[Pacifist Patriot]

53. Agreed. It doesn't sound like more votes. It sounds like coerced votes.

[KittyWampus]

32. The GOP LOST That Vote. They Changed The Rules To "Win"

blackhearted thugs.

[Walt Starr]

35. If anybody believed that DeLay wasn't still in charge

you should see this one. He's still calling the shots.

[deminks]

37. He said last week that he didn't need a title

to do his job.

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_3081886?rss

[RSchewe]

41. EXACTLY my first thought.... n/t

[sdfernando]

42. Its easy for Delay now

Its easy for Delay now. Since he is under indictment, he can just tell other repugs that he'll implicate them if they don't vote how he wants them to.

[AllieB]

40. So much for democracy. These bastards are pure evil!

:grr:

[merwin]

43. Duplicate topic

[rodeodance]

44. Pelosi talking about this shameful vote now on c-span

[rodeodance]

45. "demonstration of the cult. of coruption" on the floor-says Pelosi

[rodeodance]

47. 'arrogant' the Rups satified the oil companies instead of the consumers.

[rodeodance]

48. Stey Hoer of MD (dem) talking about the substance of the bill just passed.

[rodeodance]

49. "gives charity to oil companies, ruines the enviroment but does NOTHING

to help the consumer by bringing down oil prices. says no one believes this will bring down prices yet it is the spin by Repugs.

[chelsea0011]

46. Oooooooh...Better living $$$$$$ through hurricanes. One more disaster

and we can give the kitchen sink to oil.:thumbsdown: :thumbsdown: :thumbsdown:

[rodeodance]

50. Hoyer listing Repugs that changed vote during extended time period.

[anotherdrew]

51. HOW DARE THESE REPUBS TAMPER WITH THE FREE MARKET

[Pacifist Patriot]

52. Why yes Waxman, I do believe you are correct.

Actually, I think you are insulting Banana Republics.

[bluestateguy]

54. Can't blame the Democrats for this one

See, when the party stays united you force Republicans to pull shennanigans like this, and it makes them look like damn fools.

[Stinky The Clown]

55. Another drive-by shooting at what remains of honest government

These guys are gunna pay when the pendulum swings ...... and it **will** swing back.

Dems need to sign a pledge to do to unto others as has been done unto them.

[Coastie for Truth]

57. There is a silver lining

If there is any Federal Money involved, the oil industry - and the A&E firms will have to comply with

Title 48: Federal Acquisition Regulations System
PART 22—APPLICATION OF LABOR LAWS TO GOVERNMENT ACQUISITIONS

22.802 General.

(a) Executive Order 11246, as amended, sets forth the Equal Opportunity clause and requires that all agencies (1) include this clause in all nonexempt contracts and subcontracts (see 22.807), and (2) act to ensure compliance with the clause and the regulations of the Secretary of Labor to promote the full realization of equal employment opportunity for all persons, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

which means that there is another hook beyond the "Export Administration Act ("EAA")" and the Ribicoff Amendment to the "Tax Reform Act of 1976" to go after the oil industry and their A&E firms (like Halliburton and KBR and Bechtel) for the kind of discrimination that they love to practice and and their love to .

Not talking about the neighborhood businessman who owns a neighborhood gas station. I am talking the major multi-nationals.

If these illegitimati lobbyied for Federal bucks - let them take the Federal strings and obey the laws.

[Rainscents]

58. I wished ALL Dem's would had walked off the floor! This would had been

front page of every news paper and all the TV headline!

[pinto]

61. This vote was soooo close. Kudos to our Dem Rep's

And their shouts of "shame, shame, shame" were totally on point in face of the Republican maneuver to shut it down.

[R.I.Publicanism]

62. great.....

[Pirate Smile]

64. NYT: House G.O.P. Wins, by 2 Votes, Bill to Ease Refinery Building

WASHINGTON, Oct. 7 - It took more than 40 raucous minutes of pleading and cajoling, bargaining and begging on Friday. But House Republican leaders managed to squeeze through an oil refinery bill in a tumultuous floor vote that severely tested a leadership team rocked by the indictment of Representative Tom DeLay, Republican of Texas.

After teetering on the verge of an embarrassing defeat, desperate party leaders managed to persuade enough of their members to switch positions to win narrow 212-to-210 approval of a measure that its backers said would expedite refinery construction and crack down on price gouging.

-snip-
Democrats attacked the substance of the bill and the process that the Republicans employed to force it through. The Democrats accused the majority of abusing House rules by stretching what should have been a five-minute vote to deliver a bill that Democrats said would benefit profitable oil companies but do little for American drivers.

"It took that long for the indicted leader of the House of Representatives to twist the arms necessary to get a vote against the American people, against the consumer, against the taxpayer and against the environment - in favor of the energy companies," said the minority leader, Representative Nancy Pelosi of California.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/08/politics/08energy.html

[MaineDem]

65. CBS Radio had the "shame shame" story this morning

The MSM is covering this!

[rodeodance]

66. Cnn (Sat morn) just had a chuckle over it--compared to UK parliment.

They showed a short of clip of Pelosi trying to stop the vote and other congresspersons shouting shame shame shame.

They did not have any story to go along with it. Reminds me of the Dean scream---showing it over and over without any context.

[screembloodymurder]

67. What we need is conservation.

What we need are some of those 65 mpg turbo-diesels.