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Cap and Trade lacks votes, senator says “I don’t think there’s enough votes to pass the Cap and Trade bill in the Senate right now,’ Pryor said. Pryor’s remarks came during an hour-long question and answer session with community leaders at the Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce Tuesday. Among the dozen in attendance were Mayor Belinda LaForce, White County Judge Michael Lincoln, state representative Jonathan Dismang and state senator John Paul Capps. The Event Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico may focus the nation’s attention on energy policy, Pryor said as he discussed a wide range of topics including the Employee Free Choice Act, the national debt, health care and the general mood of the country. After having conducted “shuttle diplomacy” between labor and business leaders over the Employee Free Choice Act, he has not seen any movement on the bill, Pryor said in answer to a question by chamber president Buck Layne. “The National Labor Relations Board doesn’t work very well,” Pryor said. “Labor wrote that bill. I doubt that it’s balanced enough to pass the Senate.” A compromise is possible, Pryor said, but not probable because there is no work toward a cooperative solution. “I don’t think anyone’s worked on that for over a year,” Pryor said. “I don’t think it’s going to happen.” Concerning the national debt, Pryor said sacrifices must be made to get the budget under control. “In order to fix it you’re going to have to put everything on the table, including entitlements,” Pryor said. “Another piece of the pie is military spending. Again, for some that is a sacred cow.” The tax code must be simplified, Pryor said. Pryor had a positive outlook on the country’s future if leaders will focus on the needs of the country. “I feel like our back is to the wall right now,” Pryor said. “I think it’s time for us to rally around the nation.” |
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