Reid Promises Senate Vote On Murkowski Proposal to Pull Back EPA Rule

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has agreed to allow a proposal to remove EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions to be brought to the Senate floor for a vote. The measure has been offered by Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), the ranking member on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Murkowski's legislation is aimed at nullifying a December finding by EPA that GHG emissions are dangerous to human health and that the agency therefore is required to regulate them. Carbon dioxide is the most prevalent GHG.

The Senate vote on the measure will be scheduled by June 10 at the latest. The Senate returns from its Memorial Day recess on Monday, June 7. It is unclear at this point whether Murkowski will be able to attract the 51 votes she will need to pass her legislation. The measure likely would face even greater opposition in the House and, even if it should pass both chambers, President Obama almost certainly would veto the bill.