Weak GOP Congressional Candidates Manage To Say Non-Insane Things Re. Obama Power Plan
While Senate Republican leaders pressed ahead yesterday with vows to curb U.S. EPA's Clean Power Plan, lawmakers faced with potentially tough re-election fights in 2016 offered a more measured approach to the new regulation. Republicans like New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte vowed to "carefully review" nearly 1,600 pages of a new rule aimed at decreasing carbon emissions from existing power plants, at the same time Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) pledged to fight funding the regulation in Congress and urged state governments to refuse to comply (E&ENews PM, Aug. 3).
Although Ayotte has yet to draw a challenger, her seat is high on the Democratic radar as the party looks to flip the five seats it would need to regain control of the Senate chamber next year. Democrats would like to see Gov. Maggie Hassan enter the race to challenge the incumbent. In a statement, Ayotte pointed to her experience as the state's attorney general and her past work on clean air and water laws.
"Our state has a long, bipartisan tradition of working to advance common sense, balanced environmental regulations that preserve the Granite State's pristine landscape while allowing our economy to thrive, and I will continue that approach as I carefully review EPA's final rule to understand its impacts on our state's environment and our economy," Ayotte said in a statement.
Ohio Sen. Rob Portman (R) -- whose Senate seat is also a top target for Democrats this cycle -- similarly vowed to take a "close look" at the regulation, despite having sponsored legislation earlier this year that would allow states to ignore the federal rule if they determine the regulations would increase electricity prices or impede economic growth.
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