House approves natural-gas pipeline off NYC coast

The House passed legislation Wednesday that will allow the construction of a natural-gas pipeline off the coast of New York City, which will supply gas to Brooklyn and Queens.

The bill was seen as necessary because while the National Park Service supports the pipeline, it was not authorized to approve it.

The New York City Natural Gas Supply Enhancement Act, H.R. 2606, was proposed by Rep. Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.), and had already been approved by the House. The Senate approved it with non-controversial amendments, and the House passed that Senate version by voice vote.

Grimm's bill was one of four suspension bills the House approved in a short work session on Wednesday. Others were:

• H.R. 6570, to amend U.S. law to require less frequent, annual reports on stimulus spending and the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP);

• H.R. 6116, allowing decisions by the Supreme Court of the U.S. Virgin Islands to be appealed directly to the U.S. Supreme Court; and

• H.R. 5934, applying U.S. laws against contraband tobacco products in the U.S. territories.

Members also debated H.R. 2453, a bill authorizing a Mark Twain commemorative coin, but will vote on this later in the week.

These bills were the only legislation considered on Wednesday, and after passage, the House moved to special order speeches.

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