Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-OK, once again chooses to isolate himself from Senate colleagues when faced with a dissenting opinion. And once again, the issue at hand is climate change. Inhofe, a longtime global warming skeptic, today chose to hide behind a stilted version of procedure during the latest Senate environmental committee hearings, rather than hear expert testimony from his legislative colleagues.
(More below)
Ryan Grim at Politico picked up on the discussion over whether or not to allow Maryland Sen. Barbara Mikulski a seat at the table - literally - to testify about her recent trip to Greenland, as well as to discuss the rising sea levels in Chesapeake Bay:
Inhofe, with staff already present, responds that he’ll agree to allow the Maryland senator to stay if Boxer will concede it as a one-time-only deviation.
"Senator, I’m not going to agree to that," she [Boxer] says. "I’m the chairman of this committee and I’ve spoken to you about this... There is absolutely no rule that forbids this."
Even after the chair made her ruling, Inhofe insisted on isolating himself and further pushing his objection on the committee.
Inhofe and Boxer bicker back and forth before Boxer says, "This is an outrage. It’s an absolute — this is my friend..."
"It’s an outrage to invite her," interrupts Inhofe.
"If I might complete this," Boxer shot back, "it is an outrage to object to a sincere colleague who wants to work with us on a bipartisan basis on an issue that’s so dear to our heart.["]
Once again, Jim Inhofe chooses to shut out opposition and dissent rather than listen to expert testimony of colleagues. If Jim Inhofe can't work with the Senate, it's time for him to retire.
Oklahomans will have a real choice for Senate in 2008 - Democratic State Sen. Andrew Rice. Rice, who has been an independent voice for Oklahoma, has worked within an evenly divided State Senate. However, by working with his colleagues and listening to his constituents, he has accomplished much for his district.
Andrew Rice needs your help to send Jim Inhofe into retirement. Please consider making a contribution to ensure that Oklahoma - and our nation - has a better choice in 2008.
andrewforoklahoma.com
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-Karina Henderson, Rice for U.S. Senate