Congress

A little noticed but significant change to a Senate bill intended to force EPA to ban asbestos could allow industry to continue using materials capable of producing dangerous exposure levels to the known carcinogen and is prompting proponents of stricter legislation to lobby House members to adopt the Senate's original legislative language, several informed sources say.

The escalating stalemate between Democrats in Congress and President Bush over fiscal year 2008 appropriations bills may ultimately force lawmakers to abandon their efforts to increase funding levels for EPA and other agencies above the president's request, according to congressional staffers. Because it is unlikely Democrats have the votes to override threatened vetoes, the longer the standoff continues the stronger Bush's hand is in rejecting any increase over his original request, these sources believe.

Environmentalists and other supporters of a sweeping hardrock mining reform bill expect that the legislation's recent easy passage on the House floor will boost their leverage in upcoming conference negotiations with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), who along with other key Senators is expected to craft a competing bill more favorable to industry.

Critics of a controversial bill who say it broadly expands the Clean Water Act's scope are ramping up pressure on House lawmakers to oppose the legislation, sending a series of letters to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) signed by a wide range of industry, property rights and conservative political groups.