Crisitunity

As White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel once mused, a crisis shouldn't be wasted. The administration has clearly given its blessing to a new push by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to request a comprehensive energy reform bill by July 4. Our report by Alexander Bolton notes Reid is asking chairmen of the committees of jurisdiction on energy and climate to craft legislation that addresses "the unfolding disaster in the Gulf of Mexico" by ensuring that oil companies are held accountable for damages and provide "swift and fair compensation" to those who suffer losses related to the accident.

Just weeks ago, immediately following the oil spill on April 20, comprehensive energy reform legislation was dead in the political waters. Indeed, Democrats thought it would be even harder to bring up a bill because of the spill. Now suddenly the disaster is a window of opportunity in the eyes of Democrats facing enormous political headwinds going into November's midterm elections.

With financial services reform not yet out the door — President Obama wants to sign a bill by July 4 — and a poor jobs report out today spelling a long, hot summer for the unemployment picture, it's hard to imagine Democrats getting this heavy lift off the ground. Republicans are out in front with their claims the Democrats are planning a job-killing energy tax — just where will the Democrats find the political will for another tough, divisive vote?

 

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