Senate rejects repeal of Obama drilling rule

[babylonsister]

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/332721-senate-rejects-repeal-of-obama-drilling-rule

Senate rejects repeal of Obama drilling rule
© Greg Nash


Three Republicans joined Senate Democrats on Wednesday to reject overturning an Obama administration rule limiting methane emissions from oil and natural gas drilling.

Only 49 senators voted to move forward with debate on legislation to undo the Bureau of Land Management rule, short of the 51 need to advance the measure.

The vote is a major loss for congressional Republicans, who had targeted the methane rule as a prime Obama regulation to undo. They argue that it unnecessarily adds costs to oil and natural gas drilling on federal land.

Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) joined all 48 members of the Democratic caucus in rejecting the resolution under the Congressional Review Act.

Graham and Collins had previously publicized their plans to vote against the legislation. But McCain’s vote came as a surprise.

[Equinox Moon]

1. That is good news and we are short on good news. Thanks.

[still_one]

2. I am really pleasantly surprised at that

[RKP5637]

3. K&R! n/t

[JudyM]

4. So if McCain hadn't rejected it, Pence would've been the tiebreaker. Whew!

Big thanks to Graham, Collins and McCain on this one. And of course to our Dems for sticking together.