Bush urges Senate to act on energy security

Majority leader’s delay tactics at odds with presidential mission — ANWR amendment filibuster threat resurfaces

Steve Sutherlin

PNA Managing Editor

Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle continues to hold the Energy Security bill in limbo, even as President Bush calls for swift Senate action on energy matters.

Bush stressed energy in an Oct. 17 speech in Sacramento to the California Business Association, during a stopover en route to China.

“Our country needs greater energy independence; the issue is a matter of national security,” Bush said. “I hope the Senate acts quickly.”

The remark was met with applause from the California audience.

Meanwhile, Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass, renewed his pre-Sept. 11 threats to filibuster any amendment in favor of drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, if added to an energy bill.

If Kerry follows through with the filibuster, he is likely to incur sharp criticism from within the Senate, where a mounting bipartisan concern over U.S. dependence on foreign energy is fueling an increasing impatience with the maneuverings of the Democratic leadership, Arctic Power in Washington, D.C., told PNA.

“Once (Daschle) frees the Senate floor for consideration of energy, ANWR will be the first amendment,” Arctic Power said. “The Senators will call (Kerry’s) bluff.”

Once an ANWR amendment is added to the bill, Arctic Power expects a vote for cloture to be filed on the amendment shortly thereafter. The amendment will then need 60 votes to remain attached to the bill. The momentum appears to favor opening a part of the refuge for drilling, given the president’s unwavering support and the prior passage of pro-ANWR energy legislation in the House.

Most Senators understand, as does the average person, the importance of securing domestic sources of energy, Arctic Power said, adding that as U.S. military action continues in the Middle East, the risk of political upheaval in the region puts U.S. energy interests in jeopardy. The United States is particularly reliant on the continued good will of Saudi Arabia. An overthrow of the government or religious upheaval in that country would not bode well for the U.S. position. While history teaches that successful petroleum strategy is critical in wartime, it is also central to the waging of peace and prosperity domestically.

“Abundant, cheap, reliable energy has made America great,” Arctic Power told PNA.

Daschle might have salvaged environmental industry support while moving forward with an energy bill in the spirit of the bipartisan cooperation that existed on the issue.

“Daschle missed a golden opportunity,” Arctic Power said. “He could have explained to the environmental groups that this time things are different, but he didn’t take the opportunity, that was clear.”