When we first started writing about H.R. 6709, the National Conservation, Environment, and Energy Independence Act, Thomas had yet to list the bill's text, co-sponsors, and other details. Now that information has been posted. Check out the details here.
What's perhaps most enlightening is the list of co-sponsors. Among Minnesota's congressional delegation, Representative Walz is joined by John Kline and Michele Bachmann in supporting the bill.
Down at the Post Bulletin's Political Party blog, Southern Minnesota's most beloved conservative blogger (who is also the Olmsted County Republicans' outreach officer) Othelmo da Silva has been arguing in the comments section that H.R. 6709 is nothing but a sham bill designed to protect Congressman Walz, who helped draft the legislation as a member of the bipartisan House Energy Working Group.
If true, his revelations about the vast conspiracy to protect Congressman Walz would be one of the earth-shattering stories in Minnesota politics. As it is, we think this development is as entertaining as the fact that Brian Davis didn't know that Alaska's arctic waters aren't off-limits for drilling.
To his credit, the Republican primary challenger Dick Day has been positive about the bill.
Phoenix Woman's observation that it's Tim Walz versus the Clown Car in Minnesota's First continues to stand. Like so much surrounding the Davis campaign, it's enough to make a cat laugh.
Thanks for posting the link to the bill. I looked earlier and could not find it.
Looks like the composition of supporters is skewed toward the Republicans ... actually quite a large portion of Republicans have signed on. Looks like they've got many of their major players involved : Fred Upton (R-MI) has been pushing shale oil resources Joe Pitts (R-PA) has been pushing for construction of refineries; Phil English (R-PA) and Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD) have been promoting tax credit for alternative energy production (wind, solar and hydrogen). Plus they've got some of the "Talkin in the Dark" crowd with Poe and Pence.
I see that Joe Barton (R-TX) has not signed up. He's a major voice that they need to get ... plus it would be nice to hear from Jim Ramstad who has not been afraid to bolt from the Republicans ... plus he's on the Ways and Means Committee.
Between the Senate's Gang of Ten with Kent Conrad (D-ND) and Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) developing their own bill something might come to pass. The Senate's version may not include shale, so the House bill may be more viable. It must be noted that neither Klobuchar nor Coleman (shocking since I've seen so many commercials were he talks about working across the aisle) are in the Gang of Ten.
I think the August recess will help push this bill. Walz is right ... voters want action and this may provide more Representatives to look at this bill. Pelosi's giving the Republicans a lot of publicity. Walz was right when he admonished Davis at Farmfest --- a congressman's responsibility is to decide. "The thing about being in Congress is when the farm bill comes up, the buttons in front of you are yes or no. You need to make a decision." The Republican bill will never get through the Senate and signed by Bush, so she should just let the House vote ... let people defend their votes. H.R. 6709 is the first bill that I have seen that is not only comprehensive but also addresses the royalties and how they will be spent. It's a compromise bill ... I don't agree with everything, but it's the best so far.
Posted by: MinnesotaCentral | August 07, 2008 at 01:30 PM