Petard, meet Hoist

Presented without comment:

U.S. SENATE,

Washington, DC, March 12, 2009.
Hon. Kent Conrad,
Chairman, Committee on Budget, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC
Hon. Judd Gregg,
Ranking Member, Committee on Budget, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC

DEAR CHAIRMAN CONRAD AND RANKING MEMBER GREGG: We oppose using the budget reconciliation process to expedite passage of climate legislation.

Enactment of a cap-and-trade regime is likely to influence nearly every feature of the U.S. economy. Legislation so far-reaching should be fully vetted and given appropriate time for debate, something the budget reconciliation process does not allow. Using this procedure would circumvent normal Senate practice and would be inconsistent with the Administration's stated goals of bipartisanship, cooperation, and openness.

We commend you for holding the recent hearing. entitled ``Procedures for Consideration of the Budget Resolution/Reconciliation,'' which discussed important recommendations for the upcoming budget debate. Maintaining integrity in the budget process is critical to safeguarding the fiscal health of the United States in these challenging times.

Sincerely,
Mike Johanns; Robert C. Byrd; David Vitter; Blanche L. Lincoln; George V. Voinovich; Carl Levin; Johnny Isakson; Evan Bayh; Kit Bond; Mary Landrieu; James E. Risch; E. Benjamin Nelson; Lamar Alexander; Bob Casey, Jr.; Michael B. Enzi; John McCain.
Tom A. Coburn; Jim Bunning; John Barrasso; John Ensign; Bob Corker; James M. Inhofe; Chuck Grassley; Roger Wicker; Mike Crapo; Susan M. Collins; Thad Cochran; Kay Bailey Hutchison; Mark Pryor; Lisa Murkowski; Pat Roberts; Saxby Chambliss; Sam Brownback.

Original found HERE with video of a speech by "Darlin'" Arlen Specter "The Defector" opposing using reconciliation for Climate Change Legislation, Health Care Reform, and Education Reform.

Pax,

Newbius

H/T Michelle Malkin