"WASHINGTON — A bipartisan bill to encourage energy efficiency in buildings died in the Senate on Monday, derailed by the contentious debate over the Keystone XL pipeline and President Obama’s plans to issue new climate change regulations.
The bill’s end came as the Senate voted 55 to 36 on a procedural motion, falling five votes short of the 60 required to bring the bill to a final vote.
The measure, sponsored by Senators Rob Portman, Republican of Ohio, and Jeanne Shaheen, Democrat of New Hampshire, was a rarity in today’s political environment: Until last week, it had widespread support from members of both parties in both chambers of Congress. A companion bill in the House, sponsored by Representatives David B. McKinley, Republican of West Virginia, and Peter Welch, Democrat of Vermont, has also drawn strong bipartisan backing."
Coral Davenport reports for the New York Times May 12, 2014.
SEE ALSO:
"Barring Unforeseen Developments, Last Rites for Shaheen-Portman Coming" (E&E Daily)
"Senate Stumbles Over Energy Bill as Reid, GOP Spar" (Politico)
"Election-Year Politics Dooms Energy Bill, Averts Pipeline Vote" (NPR/Morning Edition)
