Votes

Senate Democratic leaders Friday failed to win the 60 votes that were needed to end debate on the broad energy bill (HR 6) and bring it up for a final vote. The setback sets the stage this week for Senate action on an energy measure that could be a modified version of the one passed by the House last Thursday (see Daily GPI, Dec. 7).

Senate Democratic leaders Friday failed to win the 60 votes that were needed to end debate on the broad energy bill (HR 6) and bring it up for a final vote. The setback sets the stage this week for Senate action on an energy measure that could be a modified version of the one passed by the House last Thursday.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) is not likely to allow votes on amendments to Lease Sale 181 legislation during debate on the measure this week, according to some Capitol Hill aides.

The Alaska Senate completed action Tuesday on its bill to reform state taxes on oil and natural gas, picking up two more affirmative votes on reconsideration for a 16-4 endorsement of a 22.5% net production tax on oil and 7.5%, or one-third of that, for natural gas. The bill has gone to the Finance Committee in the Alaska House and is expected to make it to the House floor by Monday.

By a narrow margin, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) last Tuesday voted out a final rule that will increase the agency’s ability to detect fraud and other wrongdoing in the hedge fund market, a rapidly growing segment of the financial market that has been increasing its presence in the energy markets but for the most part has been free of regulation over the years.

By a narrow margin, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Tuesday voted out a final rule that will increase the agency’s ability to detect fraud and other wrongdoing in the hedge fund market, a rapidly growing segment of the financial market that has been increasing its presence in the energy markets but for the most part has been free of regulation over the years.

By a narrow margin, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Tuesday voted out a final rule that will increase the agency’s ability to detect fraud and other wrongdoing in the hedge fund market, a rapidly growing segment of the financial market that has been increasing its presence in the energy markets but for the most part has been free of regulation over the years.

The House and Senate by a wide margin voted late Thursday to extend several energy tax credits, including a booster for marginal oil and gas wells, as part of a $146 billion tax cut package for the middle class, sending the bill to President Bush for his signature.

The House and Senate by a wide margin voted late Thursday to extend several energy tax credits, including a booster for marginal oil and gas wells, as part of a $146 billion tax cut package for the middle class, sending the bill to President Bush for his signature.