The idea of granting supboena power to President Obama’s oil spill inquiry commission has overwhelming support in the Congress. Just last week, the House voted 420 to 1 to do just that. The lone Republican to object was Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX). But just yesterday, when Senate Democrats tried to make it official by unanimous consent, they hit a brick wall in the form of Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC).
DeMint objected, likely delaying the subpoena power for weeks. But he did so not because of his own objections, but was acting on behalf of “members of the Republican conference.”
Figuring out who those members are is like juicing a turnip, but there are some prime suspects. In June, when Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) tried to do the same thing, Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) stood in the way on his own behalf.
“I will object at this time,” Inhofe said. “The bill was just introduced 7 business days ago. It has been referred to the Judiciary Committee, where I assume Chairman Leahy will take a thoughtful look at it. Senator Reid has asked his committee chairmen to report out oil spill legislation by the 4th of July for consideration next month, so I think we should give that process an opportunity to work.”
We have calls out to other Republicans to see if we can’t put more names on the list. But sufficed to say this has House Democrats steamed.
“They voted against giving subpoena power yesterday…to the President’s commission to look into the Gulf of Mexico situation,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said at her weekly press conference this morning. “How much more of a friend of Big Oil can you be.”
