Pelosi creates panel to tackle energy bill
8 minutes ago
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (news, bio, voting record) said on Thursday that she is creating a special committee to prepare a package of legislation to address the nation's energy needs and global warming.
"I have asked the chairs of the relevant committees to hold hearings and pass legislation so that by the Fourth of July we can have a package of legislation to truly declare our energy independence," Pelosi, a California Democrat, told reporters at a news conference.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070118/pl_nm/energy_congress_pelosi_dc_1Pelosi creates global warming committee
By JOHN HEILPRIN, Associated Press Writer
3 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (news, bio, voting record) created a special committee Thursday in an effort to jump-start long-delayed government efforts to deal with global warming.
Pelosi, D-Calif., said the committee would hold hearings and recommend legislation on how to reduce greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide generated by fossil fuels, that most scientists blame for a gradual warming of the earth's climate.
The committee will be led by Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., who shares Pelosi's goals, said a Democratic leadership aide, speaking on condition of anonymity because Pelosi had yet to announce her choice.
Actual bill-drafting duties will be left to committees that have a say in the matter. That could be several because global climate change could affect virtually everything.
Pelosi's move increases the likelihood that Democrats will propose far tougher constraints on greenhouse gas pollution than the Bush administration wants. She also has outflanked for now — and angered — a few Democrats who head important House committees.
more...(Rep. John Dingell(R) Whines)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070118/ap_on_go_co/congress_global_warming_1