Recently, John McCain visited Sturgis, South Dakota for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. He had strong words for Congress, which he's repeated on several occasions.
Thomas Friedman wrote an eye-opening piece about McCain's personal legislative record when it comes to energy policy, noting that McCain did not show up for an incredible eight separate votes just this year.
It was only five days earlier, on July 30, that the Senate was voting for the eighth time in the past year on a broad, vitally important bill — S. 3335 — that would have extended the investment tax credits for installing solar energy and the production tax credits for building wind turbines and other energy-efficiency systems.Both the wind and solar industries depend on these credits — which expire in December — to scale their businesses and become competitive with coal, oil and natural gas. Unlike offshore drilling, these credits could have an immediate impact on America’s energy profile.
Senator McCain did not show up for the crucial vote on July 30, and the renewable energy bill was defeated for the eighth time. In fact, John McCain has a perfect record on this renewable energy legislation. He has missed all eight votes over the last year — which effectively counts as a no vote each time. Once, he was even in the Senate and wouldn’t leave his office to vote.
But perhaps McCain realizes that doing something about energy policy isn't as politically expedient as is yelling to a crowd of 50,000 motorcyclists about it.
Yes, funny how McBush NOW claims that renewable, alternative energy is of upmost importance to him. But to bad for him his voting record proves otherwise:
McCain Repeatedly Voted Against and Skipped Votes on Renewable Energy and Increased Fuel Efficiency
McCain Failed To Vote On Energy Independence Bill.
In 2007, McCain failed to vote on a motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Reid, D-Nev., motion to concur in the House amendments to the Senate amendments to the bill that would require new corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards of 35 miles per gallon for cars and light trucks, and require 36 billion gallons of biofuels to be blended with gasoline by 2022. It would require electric utilities to produce at least 15 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2020 and direct the Energy Department to set new energy efficiency standards. It also includes a $21.5 billion package of tax incentives that would be offset in part by eliminating or reducing $13 billion in subsidies for major oil and gas companies. The motion was rejected 53-42. [HR 6, (http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=1&vote=00416) Vote #416, 12/07/07]
McCain Only Senator Who Failed To Vote On Energy Bill Aimed At Increasing Fuel Economy Standards.
In 2007, McCain was the only senator who failed to vote on a motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Reid, D-Nev., motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment with an additional amendment to the bill that would require new Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards of 35 miles per gallon for cars and light trucks, and require the production and use of 36 billion gallons of biofuels by 2022. It would direct the Energy Department to set new energy efficiency standards. The additional amendment would strike a provision that would require utilities to produce 15 percent of their electricity from alternative sources by 2020. It also would increase to $21.8 billion a package of tax incentives that would be offset in part by eliminating or reducing $13 billion in subsidies for major oil and gas companies. The motion was rejected 59-40. [CQ.com; HR 6, (http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=1&vote=00425) Vote #425, 12/13/07]
McCain Voted Four Times in Opposition to Increases in Renewable Electricity. [S. Amdt 791, (http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=1&vote=00141) Vote #141, 6/16/05] [S. Amdt 3017, (http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=107&session=2&vote=00050) Vote #50, 3/14/02] [S. Amdt 3038, (http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=107&session=2&vote=00055) Vote #55, 3/21/02] [S. Amdt 3057, (http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=107&session=2&vote=00059) Vote #59, 3/21/02]
McCain Voted Against Raising Fuel Economy Standards Three Times. [H.R. 6, (http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=1&vote=00157) Vote #157, 6/23/2005] [S. 14, (http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=108&session=1&vote=00309) Vote #309, 7/29/2003] [S. 517, (http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=107&session=2&vote=00048) Vote #48, 3/13/2003]
McCain Missed Three Votes on Raising Fuel Economy Standards. [S.Amdt. 1677 to H.R. 2084, (http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=106&session=1&vote=00275) Vote #275, 9/15/1999] [HR 6, (http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=1&vote=00416) Vote #416, 12/07/07] [CQ.com; HR 6, (http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=1&vote=00425) Vote #425, 12/13/07]
And also, to all those Republicans that spent a week whining and acting foolish about their precious little drilling shim-sham, I say go to hell. HOW MAY YEARS have went by, and HOW MANY TIMES have they shot down votes for renewable and alternative energy funding, and now they want to have a fit?
GRRRRRRR!!!!
