Murkowski Resolution Dies In Senate

A disapproval resolution introduced by Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) failed to move forward in the Senate after hours of long-anticipated debate on the merits of greenhouse gas regulation, USAgNet reports. Murkowski’s resolution would have negated the EPA’s 2009 finding that greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare, a finding that obligates the Agency to regulate those gases under a 2007 Supreme Court ruling.

Versions of a disapproval resolution, a rarely-used procedure outlined in the Congressional Review Act, have been introduced on this issue in both the House and Senate. Had the Senate measure been approved, it would have faced a House vote and a threatened veto from President Obama before becoming law.

Analysis was expected from EPA on a climate and energy proposal introduced by Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) and Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), but release of that data has been delayed. It’s unclear if the EPA analysis will shed new light on the bill’s actual provisions or simply expand on past analyses of climate change-related ideas.

Democratic leaders also reportedly met this week to discuss the merits of attempting to move forward with any climate or energy legislation. Senators, at least, have a multiplicity of ideas to pick and choose from, with another energy proposal added to the mix this week by Sen. Dick Lugar (R-IN).