White House pressuring Republicans to move energy bill forward
Capitol Hill-AP -- The Bush administration is pressuring members of the president's own party to drop a controversial provision from the big energy bill. Sources say House Republicans want to retain one provision of the bill to shield makers of gasoline additives known as "M-T-B-E's" from lawsuits.
The additive has contaminated drinking water.
Sources also tell A-P that House Speaker Dennis Hastert is ready to impose a settlement on the issue of M-T-B-E, but wants assurance that the compromise will lead to Senate approval.
The package was blocked in the Senate last week.
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