[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 104 (Tuesday, September 7, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S8816]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         PASSING AN ENERGY BILL

  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I was in my office and I heard Senator 
Dorgan talk about the Wall Street Journal and the Energy bill, or at 
least he commented on it. The Energy bill that is pending at the desk, 
which the Democrats have refused to let us take up, does not have the 
MTBE provision to which the Senate Democrats and some Republicans 
objected. It is not in there. So who is holding it up? The Senate 
Democrats, led by Senator Bingaman, will not let us proceed on that 
bill.

  It is most interesting. The distinguished Senator from Nevada read 
off a list of things we ought to be doing. The Senator ought to know 
that every single one of those, and more, is in that Energy bill. He 
talked about renewables from wind to solar and production tax credits. 
They are all in that bill. More natural gas is in that bill; research 
to use clean coal is in that bill. Also, we have language that will 
forever cause us to not have any more big regional blackouts in 
America, and on and on.
  So let's be honest about it. The Energy bill, as a superbill, is 
pending. If they would just let us vote, we would have a bill for 
America that includes everything Senator Reid has talked about and 
more.
  As far as us killing an energy bill with provisions for holding 
harmless the producers of MTBE, I suggest Senators get the bill and 
read it. That provision is out of the bill that our leader called up 
and that the Democrats decided to filibuster. They want us to get 60 
votes on everything, including America's energy future. That is the way 
it is.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader.

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