"Republicans boycott start of Senate committee debate on climate change bill "

[DearAbby]

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Republicans boycotted a Senate committee hearing Tuesday on a major bill to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.

Only one of the seven Republicans on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee - Sen. George Voinovich of Ohio - showed up for the panel's opening session. He left the meeting after delivering an opening statement.

Committee rules require at least two minority party members to be present to reach a working quorum. However, an exception could allow the committee to proceed without any Republicans, according to committee staff members.

Matt Dempsey, a spokesman for the committee's Republicans, told CNN that applying the exception would be a "nuclear option" by Democrats that would worsen the panel's already strained political climate.


In his remarks, Voinovich asked the committee to hold off its debate until getting a full Environmental Protection Agency analysis of a bill that he said would affect every American.

The committee chairman, Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-California, responded that the panel has held dozens of hearings on the issue, and that she had taken the unprecedented step of scheduling a session with EPA experts later Tuesday to answer any questions by committee members.

Boxer also said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, has promised the full EPA analysis sought by Republicans before the bill comes before the entire Senate.

When the hearing proceeded, Voinovich left the room, leaving only Democratic members at the table.

More at link: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/11/03/republicans-boycott-start-of-senate-committee-debate-on-climate-change-bill/

[yurbud]

1. since they can't lock Democrats out, they lock themselves out

[Bitwit1234]

2. Could we get them to boycott

attending congress all together. And get them to stay out till after the elections next year. Maybe something can get done. What a bunch of wimpy a** bunch of swamp dwellers.

[napi21]

3. Hmmm...is this a wise thing to do on an election day?

Talk about reinforcing the "Party of NO" and non-cooperation!

[Ichingcarpenter]

4. Top 10 Reasons for Repug Senators not showing up for the Climate Bill

10. They are hiding in the attic with balloon boy

9. They are allergic to wind

8. They had to prep for a conference denying climate science

7. They got lost hiking the Appalachian Trail

6. They were swimming, Scrooge McDuck-style, through swimming pools
filled with money from Big Oil and Coal

5. They had choir practice for the Chorus of No’s

4. Rush told them not to go

3. They had to hold up some more judicial nominees

2. They actually oppose a Clean Energy Jobs bill that would put America back in charge of its economic and energy future.

1. They had a pre-existing condition

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=6913562&mesg_id=6913562

[LynneSin]

7. Double thumbs up for #7

:rofl:

[DearAbby]

5. As Sen. Sanders spoke to the urgency of clean energy legislation

he looked out on an empty table. The DemWarRoom Tweeted this picture just now. DemWarRoom are the Democratic leaders.

[robinlynne]

6. The article at link says the Dems can proceed without the repugs. It would be a "nuclear" option.

so do it! get over the stupid bi-partisanship idea.

[DearAbby]

8. The next big battle against the Party of NO

:kick: