Stephanie Herseth Sandlin: “the word of the day today is disappointment. Let me ask my friends on the other side of the aisle, what are you afraid…”

“the word of the day today is disappointment. Let me ask my friends on the other side of the aisle, what are you afraid of? Once again in the middle of the night, the Republican leadership has produced a rule that blocks numerous Democratic amendments, it blocks discussion, it blocks debate, it blocks a balanced energy plan; and contrary to the representations made on the floor this morning, no Blue Dog perfecting amendment was offered to be in order. No Blue Dog amendment was to be voted on. No Blue Dog amendment is part of our decision this morning. It blocks an alternative for our perfecting amendment, and that is just not fair. In 1992, the last time Congress considered comprehensive energy legislation, we talked about it for days and for weeks. Congress was given the parameters of this debate only this morning. Now within a few hours we are expected to vote on a national energy policy affecting this country for decades to come. That shows a lack of leadership. It is very disappointing. The Democratic perfecting amendment includes a balanced, forward-looking energy policy for the country. It includes tax incentives for increased production of domestic, natural gas and oil production by our small, independent producers. It provides access to capital for refining capacity and natural gas distribution. It facilitates construction of the Alaska natural gas pipeline. But our plan is balanced.…”