Senate

Bill Would Lead to Significant Drop in Oil Imports, Rise in Renewable Energy Production

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 14, 2008) – An analysis released today demonstrates that meeting global warming pollution reduction targets in the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act will reduce oil imports, increase clean energy production and lead to dramatically more fuel-efficient vehicles.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, May 14 – Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) applauded inclusion of key nutrition, renewable energy, and food security provisions in a farm bill poised for final passage by the Senate later this week. The measure also expands the Milk Income Loss Contract Program crucial to Vermont dairy farmers.

Sanders championed a fresh-produce snack program. He helped to secure expanded support for wood as an energy resource. A nutrition education program that links schools with community gardens also was included at his request in the final bill.    » read more »

Major Boosts For State’s Dairy, Organic, Anti-Hunger And Lake Champlain Priorities

WASHINGTON (Wednesday, May 14) -- Vermont’s clout in agriculture policy again is paying big dividends as Congress races to finish work on a new bipartisan five-year Farm Bill. The House Wednesday passed the newly negotiated Farm Bill by a veto-proof vote of 318 to 106, and the Senate has set its vote on the bill for Thursday. The Senate is also expected to pass the bill with more than enough votes to override a threatened presidential veto.    » read more »

05/14/2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Senator John Kerry made the following statement today after Sec. of Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne announced that he would list the polar bear as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Kerry sponsored legislation earlier this year to protect polar bear habitat from drilling in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas, and he wrote a letter to Kempthorne earlier this week, asking that he adhere to a Federal court-ordered deadline by listing the polar bear under the Endangered Species Act.

Polar bear cub near Svalbard, Norway: Photo by Amanda Graham (CC)    » read more »

May 14, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC – At the urging of United States Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) today agreed to launch an inquiry into the record high fuel prices facing American consumers. The commission, which is responsible for investigating consumer protection and competition issues in broad sectors of the economy, announced the investigation at their annual budget hearing before the Senate Appropriations Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee, which Durbin chairs.    » read more »

By Suspending Deposits into the Nearly-Full Strategic Petroleum Reserve, More Oil Will Be Available in the Marketplace to Help Bring Down Gas Prices

May 13, 2008 -- Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Senate passed a measure co-sponsored by U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) that will help lower gas prices that have reached all-time highs.

California gas prices: Photo by Brian Locicero (CC)

The Senate passed a Feingold-backed initiative to suspend the filling of the strategic petroleum reserve (SPR) that was originally created to provide relief when oil and gasoline supply shortages caused economic hardships.    » read more »

May 13, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC—“I am pleased that the Senate has come together in a bipartisan manner to do the right thing for Americans who face the tragic effects of flood damage in their homes and communities. Over 140,000 New Yorkers are covered by the National Flood Insurance Program, and today’s action is an important step in ensuring that this protection remains intact.

Flooding in Lindenhurst, New York: Photo by bloomsday616 (CC)    » read more »

May 14, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - In response to a request from U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Barack Obama (D-IL), Deputy Attorney General Mark Filip today announced the Department of Justice (DOJ)'s intention to hold an anti-gang training program this summer in Chicago, Illinois as a component of the Project Safe Neighborhoods.

Chicago gang graffiti: Photo by Samuel A. Love (CC)

Additionally, in today's meeting, Durbin pressed Filip for a greater commitment from DOJ and reiterated his request for Chicago to be included in the Comprehensive Anti-Gang Initiative which would devote more federal resources to Chicago.    » read more »

May 13, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement after the Senate passed an amendment to the Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2007 (S.2284) to suspend filling the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Senator Obama is a co-sponsor of this provision, which passed by a vote of 97 to 1.    » read more »

May 13, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement after the Senate took the first step to passing the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2007 (S.2123). Senator Obama is an original cosponsor of the bill and voted in favor of beginning debate on it.

A Seattle firefighter: Photo by Narisa (CC)    » read more »

Senate votes to block measure to drill in ANWR and off California’s Coast; Halt shipments to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve

May 13, 2008 -- Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) voted on two key energy votes in the Senate today. The measures were introduced as amendments to the Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act, which was approved by the Senate today.

* Senator Feinstein voted against opening up ANWR and drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf off the coast of California. The amendment, which was offered by Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), failed by a vote of 42-56.    » read more »

May 14, 2008 -- Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) praised the House Natural Resources Committee for its approval today of two House companion bills to Senate legislation she introduced to protect and conserve more than 300,000 acres of pristine public land in California.

Senator Boxer said, “I am pleased that the House Natural Resources Committee has approved these two measures, which are critical to protecting California’s wilderness.”    » read more »

Bush, Conservatives Call for More of the Same in Response to Growing Energy Crisis

May 13, 2008 -- Washington, D.C.-Today, the U.S. Senate voted down an amendment by a margin of 42 to 56 (60 votes were needed for approval) that would have opened pristine lands and coastal waters, including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, to new oil drilling. It would have also promoted the use of expensive, dirty, and dangerous "unconventional" fuels produced from liquid coal and oil shale.

ANWR: Photo by Madhav Pai (CC)    » read more »