House passes bills to boost domestic energy

The House on Thursday passed a consolidated package of bills it has already passed to boost domestic energy.

Passed 226-191, the legislation includes previously approved measures such as allowing construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, expediting natural gas exports and limiting environmental regulations.

{mosads}The package further includes the text of bills such as requiring the Department of Energy to study the impact of thermal insulation in federal buildings and prohibiting the Environmental Protection Agency from implementing regulations that are estimated to cost more than $1 billion.

House Republicans argued the consolidated legislation would help keep energy costs low and spur the economy. The party used the package to highlight what they view as Senate Democrats’ obstruction.

“These jobs are at risk from President Obama blocking a bill to construct a pipeline or blocking exploration off the continental shelf or places hurdles in front of liquefied natural gas,” said Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who is running in a competitive race to unseat Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.). “I urge the Senate to pass the dozens of job producing bills this House has passed and that have stalled at the majority leader’s desk for months.”

But Democrats said the proposals could harm the environment and further contended that, just like the consolidated package of so-called “jobs bills” also on the floor Thursday, this measure was unlikely to go anywhere in the Senate.

“So, this is the last day we’re in session until after the elections,” said Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.). “We are wasting what limited floor time remains debating a compilation of bad anti-environmental proposals that this chamber has already passed.”

The White House issued a veto threat against the legislation, saying it “purports to promote and increase the nation’s energy security, but … would undermine energy security and endanger human health and the environment.”

Earlier Thursday, House Republicans passed an omnibus measure of already approved bills they claim would help create jobs.

The two consolidated packages were the last items on the House GOP’s agenda before adjourning Thursday afternoon until after the midterm elections.