Excerpts:
"Democrats could also break with a long-standing EPW Committee precedent that requires two minority members to be in attendance for a markup to even begin. According to the committee rules, Boxer appears to have an exception available that would pave the way for votes on both amendments and the overall bill so long as a majority of the committee's members are present."
"Going this route, according to one former Senate Democratic aide, could spell trouble for the overall legislation as Boxer and her allies continue their search for 60 votes among moderate Democrats and Republicans. 'That product is totally toxic," the former staffer warned. "It's basically worthless.'"
Republicans on track to boycott Senate EPW panel's markup
Darren Samuelsohn, E&E senior reporter
Senate Republicans are planning to boycott Tuesday's global warming markup in the Environment and Public Works Committee until they get more data on the sweeping proposal from U.S. EPA and the Congressional Budget Office.
EPW Committee ranking member James Inhofe (R-Okla.) said last night that Republicans had a "unanimous expression" ready for release as soon as Democrats go public with their official markup notice. Inhofe also told the Tulsa World that the GOP is preparing its own counter hearing on the climate bill.
Republicans are demanding a larger set of EPA economic modeling runs on the climate bill, including less optimistic assumptions about the long-term growth of nuclear power. Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio), a senior member of the committee, first made his information request to EPA in July and placed a "hold" on Robert Perciasepe's confirmation to be EPA deputy administrator until he got answers.
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