The new oil refinery bill the Republicans rammed through the House of Representatives gives money-glutted oil companies tax incentives to build new oil refineries while weakening environmental regulations on them. There were even some Republicans who balked at this, so Tom DeLay (R,Indicted) and his hand puppet, nominal House Speaker Denny "The Wrestling Coach" Hastert violated all House procedures to twist arms to gain the necessary votes. CBS News' version of this dismal affair is here. Favorite quote from this story:
"The bill weakens state and federal environmental standards ... and gives a break to wealthy oil companies while doing little or nothing to affect oil prices," complained Rep. Sherwood Boehlert, R-N.Y., one of 13 Republicans who voted against the measure.
With prices soaring, "oil companies now have all the profits and incentives they need to build new refineries" without government help, he maintained.
Here's the New York Times' article. Key paragraphs:
Democrats attacked the substance of the bill and the process that the Republicans employed to force it through. The Democrats accused the majority of abusing House rules by stretching what should have been a five-minute vote to deliver a bill that Democrats said would benefit profitable oil companies but do little for American drivers.
"It took that long for the indicted leader of the House of Representatives to twist the arms necessary to get a vote against the American people, against the consumer, against the taxpayer and against the environment - in favor of the energy companies," said the minority leader, Representative Nancy Pelosi of California.
Aren't these right-wing Republicans just lovely? Don't you just love it especially when they lecture us about ethics?
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