"A major wilderness bill that was supposed to be an easy victory for House Democrats is now on hold as they try to work out a strategy for sending it to the president's desk.
The bill (S 22) passed the Senate in January after a version of the measure was held up by procedural objections in the 110th Congress. It combines more than 150 bills to protect federal land, many of which are of local importance to particular members.
The House had planned to take up the bill the week before the Presidents Day recess, but then dropped it to vote on the economic recovery package (PL 111-5). Questions about the level of support for the bill have now left the timetable uncertain.
"We want to make sure we have the votes," said Nick J. Rahall II, D-W.Va., chairman of the Natural Resources Committee, who added that he hoped the House would take up the bill next week. House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md., said this week that the bill has been "hanging around for some period of time" and he hoped to pass it before the spring recess."
Read more here . . . House Democrats look for votes on lands bill | Campaign for America's Wilderness
The bill (S 22) passed the Senate in January after a version of the measure was held up by procedural objections in the 110th Congress. It combines more than 150 bills to protect federal land, many of which are of local importance to particular members.
The House had planned to take up the bill the week before the Presidents Day recess, but then dropped it to vote on the economic recovery package (PL 111-5). Questions about the level of support for the bill have now left the timetable uncertain.
"We want to make sure we have the votes," said Nick J. Rahall II, D-W.Va., chairman of the Natural Resources Committee, who added that he hoped the House would take up the bill next week. House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md., said this week that the bill has been "hanging around for some period of time" and he hoped to pass it before the spring recess."
Read more here . . . House Democrats look for votes on lands bill | Campaign for America's Wilderness