House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio is on the House floor offering the equivalent of a filibuster, by reading parts of the thousand-plus-page energy reform bill Democrats are trying to pass before leaving for a week-long recess.
Republicans are gathered in the chamber to watch the spectacle, which is allowed under a House rule permitting the speaker, minority leader and majority leader the ability to speak for unlimited periods of time. Members are periodically laughing and clapping at his performance, which is aimed a ridiculing the bill.
Boehner is emphasizing the size and reach of the bill, including amendments to amend various housing acts in an effort to construct greener buildings.
Republicans have complained that no copies of the massive bill exist for members to read on the House floor, though the legislation is available online.
“I really hate to do this, but when you file a 300 page amendment at 3:05 a.m. the American people have a right to know what is in the bill, they have a right to know what we are voting on.”
Among the provisions Boehner reads from the bill, the creation of “green banking centers” that would have to provide information to people about how to build green homes and a government formula, or rating system, to measure how well builders adhere to environmentally friendly standards.
