House Democrats expect to gain passage tomorrow of the Waxman-Markey version of President Obama’s “cap-and-trade” anti-global warming energy bill. When the latest version of the bill text was released Tuesday, it ran to more than 1,200 pages. But when House members cast their votes Friday, the text will be even longer, thanks to the compromise reached Wednesday to gain support from House Agriculture Committee Chairman Rep. Collin Peterson, D-MN, and other farm state Democrats. Regardless of the bill’s length, however, it is highly unlikely that more than a handful of members will have actually read the bill before they vote. It is such eyes-wide-shut voting by Congress that allows monstrosities like this to become law.
Crafted with the blessing of the Obama White House by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Rep. Henry Waxman, D-CA, and Rep. Edward Markey, D-MA, who chairs that panel’s key subcommittee, the bill will sock it to every American who drives a car, has a monthly utility bill or buys essentials like food and clothing. Experts estimate the annual costs will approach $3,000 for every family within a few years. In return for this wallop to Middle America’s wallet, there will be virtually no change in the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs)emitted into the atmosphere, the reduction of which is supposed to be the bill’s main purpose.
