The House passed the bipartisan Ratepayer Protection Act 417-3 on Sept. 16. Republicans and Democrats agreeing on anything is about as common as a quiet family dinner with the Sopranos. Two weeks later, the Senate blocked it 57-43, three votes shy of the 60 needed to start debate. Four Democrats voted yes. Their colleagues handed Republicans a campaign talking point and left your electric bill right where they found it.

I think Democrats would rather deny Republicans a win in an election year than hand ratepayers a head start. I can’t read minds, and Democrats have a stated reason. The vote count, the timing, and the options they passed up make that reason hard to accept at face value.