Time Running Out For Senate Energy Deal

With just two days left before recess, a flurry of last-minute negotiations seems to have the Senate no closer to a deal on legislation to address high gas prices.

Republicans agreed Wednesday to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s offer of four amendments to a bill to address speculation in oil markets. However, Reid is insisting that the Senate pass a tax extenders package in conjunction with any energy bill, a move that threatens Republican support.

"I am through discussing [energy] amendments unless we can pass the extenders bill," said Reid.

Previously, Reid offered to let Republicans vote on amendments on offshore oil drilling, the use of oil shale, increased nuclear power and  the Republican-sponsored Gas Price Reduction Act.

A Reid aide told Politico that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell privately rejected Reid's offer of four amendments even before Reid insisted on taking up the tax extenders bill.

However, a GOP aide said Wednesday that Reid was the one “moving the goalposts” on the issue to try to avoid a drilling vote.

"The Reid-Obama Democrats wont take yes for an answer," said Don Stewart, a spokesman for McConnell.

Reid spokesman Jim Manley countered that the Republicans' “overtures about a ‘deal’ are disingenuous at best,” arguing that they are using opposition to the tax extenders package as a way to protect the status quo on behalf of large oil companies. 

“We are done negotiating with ourselves,” Manley said.