The author
Posted on 10/25/2014 12:07:34 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
It wasn’t long ago that coal executives were openly discussing their dream of Republicans seizing the White House and making Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe — who believes climate change is a “hoax” concocted by greedy scientists — the head of the EPA.
Now, they have a second chance. As dark money groups and SuperPACs backed by millions of dollars from the fossil fuel industry are propelling Republicans to a Senate majority, climate science-denying politicians are likely to seize control of key committee chairmanships, a coup for companies seeking to pollute the atmosphere with impunity. What’s more, Inhofe is slated to become chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee, with oversight of the EPA.
Republic Report took a look at how the U.S. Senate would likely change under GOP control:
– Environment and Public Works Committee: Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) is in line to take control of the EPQ chairmanship, which would give him authority over the EPA. Inhofe, who has compared climate change activists to Nazis, has already signaled that he will go after regulators on a raft of issues concerning greenhouse gases, from methane leaks to the new rules over coal-fire power plants.
– Subcommittee on Science and Space: As current ranking member of this subcommittee, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) has a good shot at becoming the chairman. This vital subcommittee oversees the National Science Foundation, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and issues relating to federally funded scientific research. Cruz is a proud denier of climate change science. When he ran for office in 2012, Cruz told reporters in Texas that global warming ceased in 1997. Earlier this year, in an interview with CNN, Cruz again questioned the science, claiming the “data are not supporting what the advocates are arguing.”
– Homeland Security and Governmental Reform Committee: Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), in line to take control of the Homeland Security Committee, would likely use his perch to continue to harass scientists. The committee is the Senate’s chief investigative and oversight body. Johnson has already distinguished himself with outbursts against Dr. James Hansen, using a hearing earlier this year as an opportunity to tell the award-winning NASA scientist that climate “science is far from settled.” Johnson, who claims that “sunspot activity” is responsible for any changes in climate, has also railed against groups pushing for reform, accusing one of “environmental jihad.”
– Budget Committee: Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY) has brushed aside the threat of climate change, calling the debate over the issue a “waste of money.” As the next possible chair of the Budget Committee, Enzi may have a chance to rewrite the budget and reduce funding for agencies attempting to regulate carbon pollution. There has been talk about Republicans shutting the government down in a bid to defund the EPA over its climate change rules. Enzi has already criticized the EPA’s coal regulations, and could move such a strategy forward.
Should Republicans take a majority of seats in the U.S. Senate, the caucus would be led by Senators Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and John Cornyn (R-TX), two men who have refused to answer fairly simple questions about the threat of manmade climate change.
Moreover, the Senate Republicans have indicated that they will not only block the few and fairly weak proposals to deal with climate change, but are just as interested in using their power to intimidate environmental non-profits. Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) has recently published reports listing the American Lung Association and the National Wildlife Foundation as part of a nefarious environmental cabal. Though the Vitter reports fail to show any wrongdoing by the non-profits, he has already sent investigative letters to some groups.
The author
The GOPe won't want to offend anyone.
For tommy boy steyer, yeah. For me? I’m a denialist.
Now that’s a good reason for a jaded conservative to at least try to vote in November.
I smell fear.
Well they’ve built their castle on clouds that are set to rain themselves away but good. I’d be scared too!
I wonder if Lee Fang’s Senators and Representative know that he smokes. He needs a “time out”.
...so vote democrat or we’re all gonna DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-Because all SMART people know that higher taxation and more personal govt. regulation will SAVE THE PLANET!!!
sheesh... go smoke some more dope dude...
No one but an idiot would deny climate change.
Only lib freaks, though, think climate should be static.
Fang is a progressive leftist as are the Republic Report and The Nation who he writes for.
It’s another classic example of muddying terminology.
They want to say anthropogenic global warming, but that is starting to sound like less and less of a danger as even the “scientists” who are oh so sure keep on coming up with tinier estimates.
Worthwhile going there to comment. Figures the author is a brain-damaged pothead.
Or another way to look at it...
If the Republicans win the Senate Climate Change Hoaxsters will love control of key committees that help perpetuate the lie!
Thanks for posting, but I’ll be a Democrat’s uncle before I read anything written but such an one.
Maybe now people will be able to freely choose renewable energy sources without government interference.
Government handouts for green energy isn’t sustainable.
I take it “Republic Report” is a lefty site with a Conservative name (never heard of it before). I gave a “^” to the one raunchy comment following the whiny article.
I’m sure he is totally in favor of a more stringent “clean air” act...
If only that were true. Reasonable people would be a relief from climate and green energy kooks. Sadly the warming bugaboo has spread into the mushy brains of Republicans too.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.