There Was A “Placeholder” In The Cap And Trade Bill Allowing Language To Be Added Later
“So what’s a placeholder,” you ask? Well it’s a part of the bill set aside for language to be inserted in later. And if you think there’s something wrong with that just keep your mouth shut. It’s not like these idiots are reading the bills they’re passing anyway.
Rep. Joe Barton mentioned it was unprecedented to have such a mechanism (allowing bill-writers to insert language to be determined after the law was approved) in a bill up for final passage. Later, I noted that Barney Frank explained on the floor on Friday that the placeholder in the cap and trade bill apparently will deal with regulations of financial derivatives market associated with reducing carbon emissions. Frank said he was confident a “good system will be in place.”
Maybe Rep. Frank is confident that this blank area in the passed bill will be replaced with something “good,” but I’m not nearly so confidence.
What’s more, whether you support cap and trade or not, how can our elected representatives vote for a bill with a blank spot in it? A bill that is not finalized? That could have language added to it that could significantly impact the way the bill effects our lives and livelihoods?
Every single Representative who voted for this legislation and its “placeholder” should be asked why they’re not more concerned about protecting their constituents. Click here to do that right from the blog.
