Senate can't Stop Energy Bill Filibuster, but Another Vote Could Occur: "Thank and Spank" Your Senators
The Senate Friday voted 58-39 in favor of breaking the filibuster against the energy bill, falling two votes short of the 60 needed to approve cloture and stop the filibuster.
This vote is testament to all your hard work and great efforts over the past few months! Unfortunately, we need to keep up the pressure.
Immediately after the vote, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (who had switched his vote at the last moment in order to be able to bring up the issue again, thereby making the official tally 57-40) said he would try again to invoke cloture early this week. As of Monday morning (November 24) however, it does not appear that he has been able to gain any votes, and it does not look like a vote will take place soon—more likely it would occur in January.
However, another vote remains possible this week, and it is very important to "Thank and Spank" your Senators. The vote list is below: please call those Senators who voted against cloture (or, against cutting off debate), thank them for their votes, and urge them to stand strong and not let this monstrous bill pass. If your Senators voted for cloture, please call, express your disappointment and urge them to reconsider their position. After all, not only the NY Times and Washington Post have editorialized against this bill, so have newspapers in Portland, or; Seattle; Asheville, NC; Houston; Great Falls, Montana; Chicago; Atlanta; and just about every!QW! else. They see the bill for what it really is: a pork-laden giveaway to wealthy energy producers.
When you call, don't forget to mention that you are especially angry about the provisions in the bill that would benefit the nuclear power industry. Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121 or toll free at 1-800-839-5276.
This would also be a good time for letters to the editor about your Senators' votes (good or bad) and for grassroots organizations to put out press releases in support of or opposed to your Senators' votes. Note: if your group puts out a press release, be sure to send a copy to your Senators' press secretaries.
Thanks again for all your help—your efforts are really making a difference. This first battle has been won, now we must make sure this tremendous victory holds.
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