Republicans Use Rare Tactic To Block 2 Obama Rules

[Purveyor]

(02-16) 10:03 PST WASHINGTON (AP) --

Republicans in Congress are launching bids to nullify Obama administration rules that would speed up union elections and set new air pollution standards for the nation's oldest and dirtiest power plants.

The rarely used tactic requires a simple majority for passage. Both have a chance at clearing the Senate, but a vote would force some Democrats to take a public stand on two volatile issues in an election year.

MORE...

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2012/02/16/national/w100352S60.DTL

[Scootaloo]

1. These issues are no longer "volatile"

The Republicans have burned all their political capital over the last few months. If Democrats stand up and say "What? of course we're for American workers and clean air!" it'll be an easy win.

[The Doctor.]

4. That's what I was thinking.

High levels of desperation from Republicans.

[quakerboy]

7. Democrats would have to be for american workers and clean air

for that to work. Or at least 49 out of the 51 of them

[raziagalfre]

2. Republicans Use Rare Tactic To Block 2 Obama Rules

Its seems gud unnga

[Scuba]

3. There should be nothing volatile from the Dems perspective.

[annabanana]

5. "volatile" - damn liberal AP... sheesh. . . . .n/t

[Vincardog]

6. "choosing between slashing pollution or jobs." RW FRAMING and bullshit, Curb pollution and create

jobs. What about all the jobs created for union workers retrofitting all those murderous power plants?

[high density]

8. Isn't it crazy?

It's like the AP is trying to tell us that these dirty coal power plants are being operated out of the goodness of their hearts to provide jobs to people. If we raise pollution standards, does that demand for electricity suddenly go away?

[oldhippydude]

9. you might say

that's their "current argument"

[Kolesar]

10. First Energy (utility) already announced closing of six plants due to the mercury rule

I doubt that FE would reverse that decision.