Senate vote on proposal to block EPA climate rules slated for Wednesday
The timing for the vote on the amendments has been something of a moving target. Lawmakers told The Hill Monday night that the path forward on the amendments was unclear.
Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) has introduced an amendment to the small business bill that would codify EPA plans to exempt small polluters from climate rules and exempt the agriculture sector from the rules. Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) has introduced an amendment to the bill that would delay EPA climate rules for two years.
It’s highly unlikely that McConnell’s amendment will garner the 60 votes necessary for passage. But a vote on the amendment would force moderate Democrats facing tough reelection bids to weigh in on the issue.
The two amendments from Democrats face major hurdles as well.
The McConnell language mirrors legislation authored by Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.).
Companion legislation introduced in the House passed a key committee earlier this month and is expected to come up for a vote in the coming weeks.
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