Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) “said he hoped to pick up Republican votes for a pared-down energy bill after the midterm congressional elections,” Reuters reports.
"Maybe after the elections we can get some more Republicans to help us on these issues," Reid, a Democrat, told reporters in a teleconference on Tuesday.
But passing any major legislation this year will be an uphill struggle. With Republicans eyeing gains in November 2 elections, Democrats may face fierce campaign opposition on all major initiatives.
The modest energy bill that Reid introduced in late July sought to reform oil drilling after the massive BP Plc crude oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico. It also included incentives for energy efficiency in homes and alternative vehicles fueled by natural gas and electricity.
No cap-and-trade though:
There was little chance cap-and-trade would make it back into the bill, however. "It doesn’t appear so at this stage," Reid said.
(credit image – daylife/associated press)
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