Lewis offers olive branch to Obey

House Republican appropriators will not offer energy amendments on the remaining seven spending bills, according to the ranking GOP lawmaker on the panel.

In a letter sent to Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey (D-Wis.) Tuesday, Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-Calif.) pledged to allow the remaining spending bills to go through the committee unhindered by legislative tactics.

{mosads}“I recognize the concern you have expressed about energy-related amendments being offered during consideration of the remaining seven bills in full committee,” Lewis wrote. “Let me assure you that committee Republicans do not intend to offer energy amendments, nor do we intend to substitute the Interior bill for the Labor-HHS bill or any of the other remaining bills, given the commitment that the Interior bill will be brought before the committee over August recess.”

Lewis and his colleagues stalled the appropriations process last month when they used procedural tactics to try and force a vote on energy-related issues. Lewis introduced an amendment to the Labor-HHS bill that would have replaced the language with that of the Interior spending bill. Rep. John Peterson (R-Pa.) then introduced an amendment regarding offshore drilling — at which point, instead of allowing him to present the contents, Rep. Norm Dicks (D-Wash.) called for a motion to adjourn, which passed along party lines.

Obey has since refused to mark up any bills in full committee, citing the incident.