This is perfect. I don't know why it took Congress this long to realize that it doesn't have sit back and watch while regulatory battles continue ad infinitum in the Agencies and Courts.

Sen Boxer is definitely one of our finest. I'll never forget how she was the lone senator to stand up with Rep Conyers and other congress folks (particularly the CBC) against the seating of the Ohio electorate after the blatant shenanigans in disenfranchising the Dem vote in Ohio in 2004.

Barbara, meet Phil E. Bustah (R).

I support Boxer's legislation and not to be a Sadducee, knowing the letter and spirit of the law, and the need to 'respect the rule of law.'

The short-circuiting of releasing internal documents, that are in draft, at the EPA, while the agency is in litigation, is something that while technical is at core issue here.

Yes I believe that the EPA Stephen Johnson used this mechanism to circumvent the concensus at EPA, yes it was in effect an obstruction of the granting of the states perrogatives.

But I hope that the legislation ommits any and all references to those 'commandered documents' at EPA so that the concept of CBI (confidental business information) where corporations enter into voluntary disclosure with the agency is maintained.

While the EPA has a mandate to adjudicate existing legislated law, they also have a requirement to enter into agreemnents of non-disclosure, and that was in part violated when disclosure of documents was performed.

It was as dangerous of a precedent as not releasing court ordered documents.

So while I support Boxer's legislation, I hope it is crafted in such a manner as to not make usage of the EPA's documents that were either marked 'confidential' or in 'draft.'

I would hope that there is enough common sense in the congress to garner enough support to craft the legislation as to prevail and not set a precedent where CBI and priveledged information was not violated.

Yes I know the difference between the rule of the law, and the spirit of the law, but feel that violating the rule of law, shortcuts to acheiving the ends, is not the best manner in acheiving legislation.

There has to be a confidence that third parties can disclose in confidence to the EPA and that that disclosure is not subjected to political whim, though I recognize the obstructionist political posturing of Stephen Johnson in this case.

I will be impressed if the legislation recognizes this principle and prevails.

It about Time!

Allsburg

Two very vulnerable RINOs from Very blue Maine.

Notice the two Maine Senators trying to save their Republican rear ends ?

Sorry, Snowe and Collins - you may be fine people but you have to get thrown out with the rest of the Republican trash.

Hit the bricks, ladies.

It is way, way, WAY too late for any Republican in the Congress to put on a show of being moderate.