Washington, DC (September 18, 2007)- Progress in the House on a global warming bill could be delayed as lawmakers struggle to complete separate energy policy legislation, according to the chairman of a House subcommittee drafting a climate-change measure. The House and Senate are working to resolve differences between comprehensive energy bills they passed earlier this year (HR 6, HR 3221). Meanwhile, lawmakers in both chambers are expected to introduce global warming legislation that will be considered later this year.
Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Va., said Tuesday that he has suggested delaying the energy bill conference in order to incorporate a climate change bill into the package. But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wants to move forward immediately on the energy legislation, Boucher said. “I think her decision is going to be to go forward with a conference at the present time,” said Boucher, who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality.
Boucher noted that energy bill negotiations could delay efforts to move a global warming bill forward, because it will involve many of the same lawmakers.
The energy legislation faces its own hurdles because of significant differences between the House and Senate bills. The House originally passed HR 6 by 264-163 on Jan. 18. The Senate passed its version of the legislation by 65-27 on June 21. The House subsequently passed HR 3221 by 241-172 on Aug. 4. The Senate has not acted on that measure.
Related Resources:
Energy Bill Adopted by House Without Trees Provision
Congressional Quarterly