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Objection to S.2414, the Coal Country Protection Act

This morning, Senator McConnell asked unanimous consent that the Environment and Public Works Committee be discharged from further consideration of S.2414, the Coal Country Protection Act and the bill be read a third time and passed.

Senator Reid objected to the request.

The unofficial transcript is below.

MR. McCONNELL: I'D INDICATED TO THE MAJORITY LEADER I WAS GOING

TO HAVE A UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST, AND I'M GOING TO PROPOUND

THAT NOW. I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT THE ENVIRONMENT AND

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE BE DISCHARGED FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION

OF S. 2414, THE COAL COUNTRY PROTECTION ACT, AND THE SENATE

PROCEED TO ITS IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION. I FURTHER ASK CONSENT

THAT THE BILL BE READ A THIRD TIME AND PASSED, THE MOTION TO

RECONSIDER BE LAID ON THE TABLE.

MR. REID: MR. PRESIDENT, RESERVING THE RIGHT TO OBJECT. MR.

PRESIDENT, THE RULE WILL NOT BECOME EFFECTIVE FOR A LONG TIME.

THE NORMAL PERIOD OF TIME TO MAKE COMMENTS WHEN A RULE IS BEING

PROMULGATED IS 60 DAYS. THIS ONE IS 120 DAYS. THE REASON FOR

THAT IS MEMBERS OF MY CAUCUS WANT TO WEIGH IN ON THIS TO TRY TO

IMPROVE THE SUGGESTED RULE THAT HAS COME FROM THE E.P.A. SO I

AM WAITING TO READ THIS -- THE PROPOSED REGULATION MYSELF,

WHICH I HAVE NOT DONE. I HAVE BEEN BRIEFED ON IT BY MY STAFF,

AND I WILL READ THIS CLOSELY, AS I'M SURE EVER SENATOR WILL. I

KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS ISSUE, AND I'LL BE AS COOPERATIVE

AS I FEEL IS APPROPRIATE WITH THE REPUBLICAN LEADER. BUT AT

THIS TIME I OBJECT.

THE PRESIDING OFFICER: OBJECTION IS HEARD.