Might the new jobs bill be the new energy bill?
Democrats are pushing to have energy provisions included in the new jobs bill, even as climate advocates warn that pulling popular programs from the climate bill could further cripple their already-dimmed chance of passage this spring.
“If you take some of the green stuff out, some of the goodies, and put it in the jobs bill, you’re hurting the idea of having an energy package that would attract support,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who’s working on drafting a climate bill with Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and John Kerry (D-Mass.).
The three senators have been meeting regularly and hope to take up their legislation this spring, with significant bipartisan support.
But the outlook for passing a climate bill has dimmed after a bruising battle over health care reform and the loss of the Democrats’ 60-vote supermajority in the Senate.
And that has moderate Democrats looking to put some of the most popular energy provisions into the jobs package that is rapidly taking shape.
Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu, who opposes passing a climate bill this year, suggested using the energy bill as the base for jobs legislation, which has had bipartisan backing.
“We can use that bill and combine it with parts of the jobs package and really lay out a framework to get America working again,” said Landrieu, who voted against the energy bill in committee. “I think energy is the best place we could go right now to create jobs.”
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