(Democrat) Landrieu calls fellow Dems' oil-tax bill ‘laughable’

the hill ^ | 5/12/2011 | Josiah Ryan

[tobyhill]

Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) called the Democratic plan to scrap tax breaks for the big five oil producers to pay down the deficit “laughable” and derided states that complain about gas prices while producing no energy themselves.

“I see what our states produce and these people produce nothing, or virtually nothing — and you ask me can I vote for a bill like this?" asked Landrieu from Senate the floor on Wednesday, comparing the major energy-producing states with non-energy producing states.

“No,” said Landrieu, answering her own question. “Not only can I not vote for it. It’s laughable.”

The Democrats' plan, which may come to the floor this week, was authored by Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.). It would require oil companies to pay taxes for drilling on federal land and remove tax deductions for companies that drill in foreign countries. In all, it would raise about $20 billion, which would be directed toward deficit reduction.

[EagleUSA]

All part of the Obama agenda. Need we say more?

[bcsco]

I still wouldn’t put it past her to vote for it.

[ken21]

we’ve got far too much federal land.

let’s sell some of it and pay of the deficit.

[Rodm]

If they Feds get $20 billion in new Taxes, they’ll increase spending $60 billion more! and we will be further in the hole. Besides 20 billion isn’t spit compared to 1.5 trillion debt.

[tobyhill]

Reid already knows he doesn't have the 60 votes and that gives some of these pretend “moderate” Rats the ability to say no on occasion.

[Sybeck1]

Let them sweeten the pot, like they did for her Obamacare vote.

[Howie66]

The word “criminal” works better for me.

Make no mistake about this. Landreau sure can talk a good game. It’s astonishing the way that she can craw-fish, though.

[tobyhill]

This time the GOP needs to be swinging away.

[sr4402]

But the Democrats who do vote for the bill will be on record opposing drilling.

And Obama is for Drilling, but only in Brazil. "Drill Brazil Drill".

[not2worry]

why not sell the all our territories and get them off the dole while we are at it?

I think 80% of the population of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico are on some kind of U. S. Federal Assistance - Social Security Disability, Unemployment, Food Stamps, etc.

Been to the US Virgin Islands recently? LOTS of “Stimulus” money being “spent” there!

Next hurricane we will see FEMA money going to more people than live there!

A number of large "entitlement" programs we can cut from the budget!

[bcsco]

Reid already knows he doesn't have the 60 votes and that gives some of these pretend “moderate” Rats the ability to say no on occasion.

Good point, but as Sybeck1 points out, Reid didn't have all the votes on healthcare at first, and not all Dems were on board, IIRC. But that changed, didn't it. I simply don't trust what comes out of their mouths. The only thing that will stop her is her being from a state tied to offshore drilling. But politics is politics...

[BenLurkin]

YES!

[From The Deer Stand]

And who pays the taxes when the Democrats increase taxes on business?

CONSUMERS DO!

[elcid1970]

And how does a crawfish swim fastest?

Backwards!

[Howie66]

Yes, Sir!

[556x45]

Im not sure you should hope for that. It appears the GOP is more attune to talk than positive action. Ive never seen a more worthless bunch in my life. Nothing will change tho until the electorate makes it happen and I dont see that anytime soon either. This nation is adrift.

[Bruinator]

“Not only can I not vote for it. It’s laughable.”

At least until your state gets and exemption from the bill. You know, sorta like all those exemptions for obicare.

[VRW Conspirator]

Don’t tell me; Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) is up for election in 2012?

[Oldeconomybuyer]

...it would raise about $20 billion, which would be directed toward deficit reduction about $20 billion more spending...