Sen. Barbara Boxer: McConnell would not allow debate on an amendment by Senator Ed Markey to close a loophole that could allow the backers of the Keystone pipeline to avoid paying into the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, which is used to pay for clean-up in case of an oil spill. He would not allow debate on an amendment by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse to require more campaign finance disclosure from the people who would benefit most from the development of tar sands oil. He would not allow discussion of Senator Patrick Leahys measure to protect the vital role of local federal district courts in reviewing any legal challenges to the Keystone pipeline. These were all good amendments that at least deserved a chance to be debated. It was especially jarring to see the debate silenced by the same Senator McConnell who has been touting his commitment to regular order and a respectful, open process. The same Senator McConnell who said on the floor last January, Any Member of the Senate ought to be able to have a fair chance to get his or her amendment adopted. The same Senator McConnell who told the New York Times this month, I dont have any intention of shutting the bill down prematurely or to try to jam either Democrats or Republicans.
Posted on: Sun, 25 Jan 2015 02:25:37 +0000
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