Murkowski pleads with Reid not to ‘throw in the towel’ on energy bill

Earlier Wednesday, Reid threatened to pull the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act, S. 1392, which aims to improve energy efficiency building codes. There has been a stalemate on the bill for more than a week partly because Republicans are demanding votes on amendments that delay implementation of ObamaCare.

{mosads}“The latest we got from our floor staff is Republicans on the energy bill want five non-germane amendments and whatever other amendment are filed dealing with energy,” Reid said. “Meaning we’re not going to finish the legislation and that’s an understatement.”

Lawmakers continue to work on an amendment agreement so that work can be completed on the bill possibly this week. 

Murkowski said she wasn’t ready to give up on the bill, which passed on a 19-3 vote in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, where she serves as the ranking member.

“If we can’t finish legislation like an energy efficiency bill … what are we going to be able to do on the really big stuff?” Murkowski said. “For those who have waited a couple weeks for their amendment, good we need to address those too, but let’s not sacrifice a good strong bill.”

Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) introduced S. 1392, which contains measures to boost building codes, train workers in energy efficient building technologies, help manufacturers become more efficient and bolster conservation efforts at federal agencies, among other provisions.