Energy Legislation Update II

'Big' Nancy Pelosi got tough (sort of) with the two committee chairs allotted mark-up sessions on the Waxman-Markey climate bill.  Rep. Charlie Rangle (D-NY) chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee reacted negatively to the imposition of a June 19th deadline to act on the bill or loose jurisdiction.  Agricultural Committee chair Collin Peterson (D-MN) threatened to take the bill down from a full floor vote if his committee did not have an opportunity to mark it up. Rangle eventually said his committee would comply with the deadline, and Peterson indicated he was no longer trying to stop the bill, but "make it workable". The important legislation, a signature one for Team 44, is in danger of getting mired in intramural Democratic politics.  But Rep. Waxman told interlocutors that he and his staff were willing to work out changes with both committee chairs.   It is possible that six other committees may want a hand in the formulation of climate policy, nevertheless Waxman embraced the Speakers' deadline, pointing out that the month of July will be needed to discuss the other significant policy initiative, health care reform, before Congress adjourns for the summer break.