6/17/2009 6:46 PM ET
(RTTNews) -
Republicans on the House Agriculture Committee are calling on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., to extend the timeline for considering a proposal to regulate greenhouse gasses.
The bill, which originated in the Energy and Commerce Committee, seeks to establish a nationwide system to regulate carbon dioxide emissions by setting a cap on the level of emissions and allowing companies to trade for permits to emit.
Pelosi set a deadline of June 19 to wrap up the Agriculture Committee's consideration of the legislation in the hopes of passing the bill before the July 4 Congressional recess.
But a letter sent to Pelosi Tuesday and signed by all 18 Republicans on the Agriculture Committee called that timeline "artificial."
"As a result of your stated deadline of June 19 for consideration, the Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture has told us that there is insufficient time to completely hear from all of our constituents, analyze this complex proposal, and act," they wrote in the letter. "With the magnitude of this bill, it is critically important that the House Agriculture Committee has sufficient time to work its will."
The Republicans noted that in a recent hearing representatives of many agricultural sectors of the economy have expressed their opposition to the measure.
"Beyond these witnesses, 99 agriculture organizations have already publicly expressed opposition to the bill and more are added to the list each day," they wrote. "This is indicative of the growing concerns we are hearing throughout the agriculture community."
Citing the potentially sweeping changes that could be brought about by the bill, the Republicans asked Pelosi to extend the deadline.
"Both supporters and opponents agree this legislation will have far-reaching effects on generations to come," they wrote. "This matter deserves thoughtful consideration and a careful legislative process."
by RTT Staff Writer
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