[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 153 (Tuesday, October 28, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13375-S13376]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  DOMENICI MOTION TO TABLE FEINGOLD-BROWNBACK AMENDMENT TO THE ENERGY 
                                  BILL

 Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, today I will clarify my position on 
an amendment offered by Senators Feingold and Brownback to the Energy 
Bill. Their bipartisan amendment was aimed at protecting small 
businesses and consumers from efforts to roll back regulations 
governing utility holding companies. I was absent for the vote, number 
315, and at the time, was announced as an ``aye'' in favor of a motion 
to table the amendment. Through no fault of the distinguished Senator 
from Nevada

[[Page S13376]]

who announced my vote, if I had been here, I would have voted ``nay,'' 
and supported the amendment which would have required the Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission to issue rules ensuring that small 
businesses can stay competitive with deregulated holding companies. The 
amendment also would have ensured that these holding companies do not 
damage the financial standing of small businesses or pass the costs of 
bad investments to consumers.
  Senator Feingold and Senator Brownback were correct. This amendment 
is just good public policy and would have protected small contractors 
against big utilities. I appreciate their hard work and dedication to 
this important issue.

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