The Senate is currently debating a resolution that would overturn the Environmental Protection Agency’s finding that greenhouse gases pose a threat to public health and the environment. The finding also sets the stage for regulations to improve fuel efficiency and limit emissions. A vote is expected around 4:00 p.m.

Update: The resolution was defeated in a 47-53 vote.

It should never have come to this. The debate over the resolution is a colossal waste of time – a distraction for a legislative body that ought to be considering more pressing issues.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced the resolution in accordance with the Congressional Review Act, a 1996 law that gives Congress the authority to veto agency regulations. The CRA also spells out expedited procedures for the Senate. If Senators follow the proper procedure in the CRA, their resolutions become un-amendable and un-filibusterable. If the resolution has sufficient support, it must be brought to the floor for a vote.

Enjoying privileged consideration is essentially an issue of timing. For the Murkowski resolution, the window of opportunity has closed, either because Murkowski did not properly introduce the resolution or because the 60-session-day time period for action expired yesterday. (See my previous post for further explanation.)

Why then, was Murkowski allowed to bring her legislation to the floor with an opportunity for an up-or-down vote by simple majority (unlike liberal priorities, which always have to surmount the 60-vote threshold)? Answer: Because Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid let her – no questions asked. Reid struck a deal with Murkowski to ensure the resolution received a vote, regardless of the CRA’s provisions.

EPA's so-called endangerment finding underpins recently finalized regulations limiting greenhouse gas emissions from both vehicles and stationary sources. The vehicle emissions rule is expected to cut American oil consumption by 1.8 billion barrels.

It’s in incredibly poor taste, in my opinion, to be debating a resolution that would hamstring government’s ability to curb greenhouse gas emissions and wean America from its oil dependence while massive quantities of oil continue to spill into the Gulf of Mexico. Would anyone have faulted Reid had he said, “You’re out of luck Senator Murkowski; now is not the time to be playing fast and loose with America’s energy future."?

Instead, he rolled over. Apparently, when you block legislation that would shift some of the oil spill’s costs from taxpayers to BP, as Murkowski has, you’re rewarded. Strange.

Murkowski’s resolution is unlikely to pass, even on a simple majority vote. But the principle remains the same. The Senate is wasting time debating whether greenhouse gas emissions are a threat and whether something ought to be done about it – issues most reasonable minds affirmatively resolved a long time ago. Is it any wonder our energy future is so bleak?