Ways and Means action this week on energy in doubt

The prospect of Ways and Means Chairman Sandy Levin (D-Mich) hosting a markup on energy legislation this week appeared to be in doubt on Monday as he told reporters that there were still a few kinks in the bill that needed to be worked out. 

"We're having further discussions about the substance of the energy bill," he said.

One outstanding issue is how to how to pay for the bill, which is expected to cost approximately $22 billion. 

There is also the issue of scheduling floor time to vote on the bill, a process determined by Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.).  

"We'll see how it fits into the schedule," Levin said. 

If House leaders cannot find the floor time to vote on the bill, its markup might be postponed until after the August recess. 

Levin said House leaders would announce the voting schedule soon. 

Under committee rules, the majority party must give the minority at least 48 hours notice of when a markup will occur. So far, Rep. Dave Camp (R-Mich.) the committee's ranking member, has not be notified of a markup.