41 senators seek limit on EPA CO2 regulations

June 7, 2010 04:20


Specifically, Murkowski’s measure would veto the EPA’s power to regulate greenhouse gases under the “endangerment finding” it issued last December. That finding would lead to regulations that “will ultimately endanger job creation, economic growth and America’s competitiveness,” Murkowski said, and is opposed even some by congressional Democrats who prefer congressional action instead.

By J. Taylor Rushing at The Hill


The Senate this week will return to a pivotal, long-simmering debate over the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority to regulate greenhouse gases.

The debate will center on a Thursday vote on a disapproval resolution by Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) that would block the EPA from enforcing emission rules under the Clean Air Act. Murkowski objects to the EPA’s authority and believes that Congress should set such standards instead of the executive branch.

Although the resolution is not expected to pass, Murkowski is bringing the resolution forward under the Congressional Review Act, which prevents any filibusters and only requires 51 votes for passage. Murkowski’s measure has 41 formal co-sponsors, including Democratic Sens. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-Mass.) told The Hill that Murkowski’s resolution is “a distraction.”

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