WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 (UPI) -- Although it faces tough obstacles in the House, Senate leaders expect to move a truncated version of failed GOP energy legislation in the coming weeks.
While the House approved the $31 billion Republican energy bill late last year, it was filibustered in the Senate by Democrats angry about their lack of input in the final measure
The new slimmed-down version of the bill will cost about half as much and will not include several important provisions, including a controversial liability waiver for producers of MTBE, a gasoline additive that pollutes groundwater.
But the liability provision is integral to gaining support from House GOP leaders, including House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, who are not inclined to reopen negotiations on the original bill.
Many Senate Democrats are also opposed to returning to the issue this year and will seek to amend any measure brought to the Senate floor, setting up a fight similar to the one seen last year.
