The Republicans were successful in filibustering the energy bill (including needed increases in fuel efficiency standards for cars) over their opposition to increased taxes for oil companies.
Democrats were forced to remove the $21.8 billion tax package including billions of dollars in tax increases on the biggest oil companies when they fell one vote short of ending the filibuster.
Putting aside the most recent victory of the oil lobby, a more relevant point is raised by the vote. How come the Republicans in minority can do so much more than the Democrats in majority? Specifically, the Democrats have refused to filibuster key issues on issues such as the Alito nomination or the torture matter. It seems strange that taxes are sufficient matters to stop all business but not the torture of suspects or the unlawful surveillance by the Administration.
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