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Enron Mail |
In Congress' final effort to pass remaining appropriations bills this year,
there have been rumors circulating that an attempt may be made to soemhow insert pipeline safety legislation. While several members have kept the issue on their "wish lists" of items they would like to see in last-minute appropriations legislation, most would prefer that pipeline safety be dealt with in the next Congress -- see the attached article referencing Sen. John McCain's desire to handle it next year. I would consider it highly unlikely to see pipeline safety included in the final package. __________________ MCCAIN WANTS PIPELINE SAFETY BILL OUT OF FINAL SPENDING PACKAGE: Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain, R-Ariz., has asked the Senate leadership to keep a pipeline safety overhaul out of the final appropriations bill. In a letter to Majority Leader Trent Lott, Miss., and Appropriations Committee Chairman Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, McCain expressed reservations about inclusion of the pipeline bill (S 2438), which the Senate passed by unanimous consent on Sept. 7. McCain wrote that while he supports the legislation, he does not want authorizing provisions in the final appropriations bill. He added that the legislation "is the product of months of work and bipartisan negotiations by the Senate Commerce Committee ... and should in no way be weakened to appease organized labor or any other special interest group." The measure failed in the House Oct. 10. The 232-158 vote fell short of the two-thirds majority required for passage under suspension of the rules. Jeffrey Keeler Director, Environmental Strategies Enron 1775 Eye Street, N.W. Suite 800 Washington, D.C. 20006 (202) 466-9157 - phone (202) 331-4717 - fax (888) 502-6856 or 5026856@skytel.com - pager
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