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Pennsylvania Federation Spotlight, Part I: Political Climate

Pennsylvania’s political climate is one of great tension for Republicans. The commonwealth has not voted for a Republican Presidential Candidate since George H.W. Bush defeated Michael Dukakis in 1988. Furthermore, Republicans are feeling the stress of losing four House seats, a Senate seat, and the...

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“Midnight Madness”

Posted by rawhide | Posted in Republican Senators, videos | Posted on 24-09-2008

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Supporters of Maine Sen. Susan Collins put out signs at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, September 23.

I bet most of those in the video were College Republicans. Just a hunch.

The Gas Price Reduction Act of 2008

Posted by sage of monticello | Posted in Campaign 2008, Congress, Congressional Democrats, Republican Senators, Republicans, democrats, economics, energy policy, environment | Posted on 27-06-2008

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Republican Senators have come together to offer a bill, the Gas Price Reduction Act of 2008, to finally start producing more American energy and take away Democrats’ excuses for opposing any proposals to increase domestic supplies of oil.

The New York Times writes today, “In a rather dramatic show of force, 22 Senate Republicans attended a news conference in a grassy park outside the Senate office buildings to trumpet the Gas Price Reduction Act of 2008.”

Democrats can no longer hide behind ANWR or their opposition to clean coal technology. If they are serious about doing anything on gas prices, they should support this bill.

For too long, the situation has been, as Senate Republican Conference Chair Lamar Alexander said yesterday, “When we say, ‘deep shore exploration,’ they say ‘no we can’t.’ When we say ‘oil shale development,’ they say ‘no we can’t.’ When we say ‘more nuclear power to plug in electric cars and trucks,’ they say ‘no we can’t.’” The American people want Congress to say “yes we can” on domestic oil production and it’s time for the Democrats to step up.

THE GAS PRICE REDUCTION ACT OF 2008

TITLE I – DEEP SEA EXPLORATION (OCS)

14 Billion Barrels On Atlantic and Pacific OCS – More Than All US Imports From Persian Gulf Countries Over The Last 15 Years

State Option Nationwide (except Gulf of Mexico)
Governor petitions to allow exploration, with concurrence of state legislature
Exploration must be at least 50 miles from coast
50% of revenues to Federal Treasury, 37.5% to States, 12.5% to Land & Water Conservation Fund

TITLE II: WESTERN STATE OIL SHALE EXPLORATION

More Than 3 Times The Oil Reserves Of Saudi Arabia

800 billion – 2 trillion potentially recoverable barrels in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming
Democrat Congress put moratorium on final regulations for development of this resource
Republican proposal would repeal the moratorium and allow exploration to move forward

TITLE III: PLUG-IN ELECTRIC CARS AND TRUCKS

We need better batteries to maximize electricity range & use less gas
Increased R&D for advanced batteries
Direct Loans for advanced battery manufacturing facilities
Sense of Senate that the Federal Government should increase its purchases of these vehicles

TITLE IV: STRENGTHENING U.S. FUTURES MARKETS

Authorizes increased funding/staff for Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)
Directs the President’s Working Group on Financial Markets to study the international regulation of commodities markets
Codifies CFTC action on position limits and transparency for foreign boards of trade
Requires the CFTC to gather information on index traders and swap dealers

Leadership ramifications of Lott’s resignation

Posted by sage of monticello | Posted in Republican Senators, Republicans | Posted on 27-11-2007

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Yesterday, as was reported by the media, Senator Trent Lott (R-MS) plans to leave the United Senate sometime later this year for a far more lucrative career as a lobbyist.

In related news, Roll Call is reporting that Sen. Kyl (R-AZ) will be seeking the leadership position of Minority Whip left vacant by Lott’s resignation.

In seeking the Minority Whip position, Sen. Kyl will leave vacant his current post of Republican Conference chair. Currently seeking that position are Sen. Alexander (R-TN), Sen. Hutchison (R-TX), and Sen. Burr (R-N.C.)