Deal Dodgers Of The 21st Century

Senate Democrats Still Won’t Say If They Support The Green New Deal …

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): “I’m not sure I remember another time when the champions of a legislative proposal were this upset they were getting a chance to actually vote on it. But we already know this: The Democratic leader of the Senate has refused to endorse it, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi has called it the ‘green dream’ and has no plans to even hold a vote.” (Sen. McConnell, Op-Ed, “Democrats' Radical Green New Deal Would Uproot Our Lives,” The [Louisville] Courier-Journal, 3/04/2019)

SEN. THOM TILLIS (R-NC): “[T]he one question I would have for people across the aisle is, do you actually support the Green New Deal? Do you support it in the form it has been proposed?” (Sen. Tillis, Congressional Record, S. 1685, 3/06/2019)

… While Every Day They Come Up With New Ways To ‘Dodge,’ ‘Evade,’ And Back Away

“Senate Democrats have figured out how to dodge Republicans’ attempt to trap them on the Green New Deal: Vote ‘present’ … But the strategy puts Democrats in the awkward position of backing away from a proposal that has garnered support from a half-dozen of the party’s senators running for president, as well as the rising progressive bloc championed by freshman Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).” (“Democrats Seek To Evade GOP Trap On Green New Deal Vote,” Politico, 3/06/2019)

“Mr. Schumer’s plan to protect Democrats from going on the record in support of the Green New Deal is to have all members of his caucus simply vote ‘present’ when Mr. McConnell brings the proposal to the Senate floor.” (“Pressed By Climate Activists, Senate Democrats Plan To ‘Go On Offense,’” The New York Times, 3/04/2019)

• “‘My guess is we’d vote present’ as a bloc, said Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware, one of the Senate's most vocal supporters of fighting climate change.” (“Democrats Seek To Evade GOP Trap On Green New Deal Vote,” Politico, 3/06/2019)

• “Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), the Senate co-sponsor of Ocasio-Cortez’s Green New Deal resolution, said he’s working with Schumer and declined to say whether he would vote present instead of ‘yes’ on his own proposal.” (“Dems Wrestle Over How To Vote On ‘Green New Deal,’” The Hill, 2/28/2019)

SLATE: “The unspoken goal of Schumer’s plan is to provide his more moderate colleagues cover … from the activist left, which is demanding urgent action.” (Josh Vorhees, “Schumer’s Climate Change Forecast: Mostly Cloudy,” Slate, 3/05/2019)

• “… the Green New Deal is exposing a crucial intraparty divide. Schumer’s plan would enable Feinstein and fellow moderates to continue taking refuge in generalities …” (Josh Vorhees, “Schumer’s Climate Change Forecast: Mostly Cloudy,” Slate, 3/05/2019)

Democrat Leaders Keep Introducing ‘Alternatives’ To Voting On The Green New Deal

“Senate Democrats introduce ‘Green New Deal’ alternative … The resolution is meant as an alternative to the Green New Deal resolution introduced in early February by Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.).” (“Senate Democrats Introduce ‘Green New Deal’ Alternative,” The Hill, 2/28/2019)

• “Schumer has also sought a safety valve for Democrats, offering a joint unity resolution that calls for immediate congressional action on climate change – a measure all 47 members of the Senate Democratic caucus could support.” (“Democrats Seek To Evade GOP Trap On Green New Deal Vote,” Politico, 3/06/2019)

“Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday said that Democrats are introducing a resolution to create a Senate committee on climate change…. The resolution … comes as Democrats are trying to turn the tables on Republicans as the chamber is in the middle of a debate on climate change.” (“Senate Dems To Introduce Resolution To Create Climate Change Panel,” The Hill, 3/06/2019)

A Rare Democrat Who Isn’t Shying Away Opposes The Green New Deal: ‘I’m Not A Present Guy’

“Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), the top Democrat on the Energy Committee, last week scoffed at the idea of voting ‘present.’ ‘I’m not a present guy,’ said Manchin, who blasted a carbon dioxide cap-and-trade bill with a shotgun in a 2010 campaign ad. He has said he does not support the Green New Deal resolution.” (“Democrats Seek To Evade GOP Trap On Green New Deal Vote,” Politico, 3/06/2019)