The House voted Wednesday on bill HR 5481. The bill was passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays. This piece of legislation would grant subpoena powers to the commission, headed by former Sen. Bob Graham (1987-2005), a Florida Democrat, and former EPA Administrator William Reilly.
The legislation, sponsored by Democrats Lois Capps of California and Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts, would give the panel authority to compel production of documents and testimony of witnesses as it investigates the accident and recommends safety procedures.
In the Senate, Republicans blocked unanimous consent to call up a companion bill S 3462, sponsored by Jeanne Shaheen(D-N.H.)
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold its first hearing Thursday on bipartisan legislation S 3516 intended to govern safety, environmental protection and energy production on the outer continental shelf.
