McConnell seeks Senate showdown on EPA climate rules

Andrew Restuccia Link to Inhofe EPW Press Blog Link to Article VIDEO: Link to Inhofe Floor Speech Link to S. 482, the Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011 Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) moved Tuesday to force a political showdown over Environmental Protection Agency climate change regulations on the floor of the Senate.

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McConnell introduced an amendment Tuesday to a small business bill that would permanently block the EPA from regulating greenhouse gas emissions from stationary sources like power plants and refineries. The small business bill is currently on the House floor. "These new regulations would destroy jobs at a time when Americans need them most," McConnell said in a floor statement Tuesday. "And they'd be especially devastating for states like Kentucky and other coal states." The amendment language mirrors a bill introduced in the Senate by Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) and in the House by Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.). Inhofe's bill has so far won the support of one Senate Democrat, Sen. Joe Manchin (R-W.Va.), and 42 Republicans. A vote on the bill would force Democrats to weigh in on the proposal. The House version of the bill is being considered by the House Energy and Commerce Committee Tuesday. Republicans are expected to approve the legislation and a vote is expected on the House floor before Easter. A spokesman for McConnell said the minority leader plans to speak with Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) about trying to secure a vote on the amendment.