35 mile per gallon mandate goes to House
WASHINGTON — Cars, trucks and sport utility vehicles would be required to travel 35 miles per gallon by 2020, according to a comprehensive energy bill that passed the Senate last week by a vote of 65-27.
The current efficiency standards for cars are 27.5 miles per gallon and 22.2 miles per gallon for SUVs and trucks.
The bill, which still must pass the House, also would penalize price gouging and give the government broader power to investigate oil companies.
Advocates of the bill said it would make the nation less dependent on foreign oil and take steps to reduce global warming.
Critics argued the new fuel efficiency standards would force automakers to build smaller cars that American consumers don’t want.
Sens. John Ensign, R-Nev., and Harry Reid, D-Nev., voted for the energy bill.
OIL COMPANY TAX REJECTED
Before approving the energy bill, the Senate rejected a Democratic effort to increase taxes on oil and gas companies to pay for alternative fuel projects.
The Senate voted 57-36 for the $32.1 billion tax package, but 60 votes were required to end the debate.
Supporters of the tax increase said it would not be unreasonable because oil companies are expected to earn $1 trillion in profits during the next decade.
Opponents said the tax increase could backfire by raising gasoline prices.
Ensign voted against the tax increase on oil and gas companies.
Reid, who is the Senate majority leader, supports the tax increase on oil and gas companies but voted against it to preserve his authority to call for another vote on the issue, according to Reid spokesman Jon Summers.
HOUSE OKS contraceptives
Defying a veto threat by President Bush, the House voted 223-201 to allow the federal government to pay for contraceptives for nongovernmental groups that perform or support abortions overseas.
The amendment conflicts with a policy established in 1984 by President Reagan which prohibits any federal funding for foreign organizations that support abortions as a method of family planning.
The amendment’s backers said it would be narrowly applied “for the exclusive purpose of providing donated contraceptives in developing countries.”
Opponents were not convinced, arguing the federal money still might be used for abortions.
Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev. voted for the amendment.
Reps. Dean Heller and Jon Porter, both R-Nev., voted against it.
IRAQ AID INCREASE DENIED
The House voted 219-205 against an amendment calling for a $158 million increase in reconstruction aid for Iraq.
The increase would be offset by subtracting $108 million from the State Department budget and $50 million from U.N. peacekeeping operations.
Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va., who introduced the amendment, said it would bolster democracy in Iraq by, among other things, disarming mines.
Critics responded that Congress already has approved almost $3 billion this year in emergency spending for Iraq.
Heller and Porter voted for the Wolf amendment.
Berkley voted against it.
POWER PROGRAM PRESERVED
An effort to scrap the power of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to override state decisions and allow electricity transmission lines in national corridors failed in the House by a vote of 257-174.
Rep. Maurice Hinchey, D-N.Y., claimed the commission’s authority tramples on the rights of states and private property owners.
Opponents countered the federal program would help spur new transmission lines to cities that need them most, and promote alternative energy sources in remote areas.
Porter voted for the Hinchey amendment. Berkley and Heller voted against it.
