You have likely read in your morning paper that late yesterday the Senate passed major energy legislation. News reports tout the accomplishments of Democrats in fending off industry influence and mandating an increase in CAFE standards — the national program regulating passenger vehicle fuel efficiency.

A cloture vote on the $32.1 billion tax title in an energy package failed by three votes in the Senate today, 57-36. Sen. Mary Landrieu (LA) was the only Democrat to vote against cloture; 10 GOP Senators supported it: Coleman (MN), Collins (ME), Crapo (ID), Grassley (IA), Lugar (IN), Roberts (KS), Smith (OR), Snowe (ME), Specter (PA), and Thune (SD).

The New York Times reports that the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) has filed a lawsuit on behalf of three state taxpayers against North Dakota to prohibit public financing of the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch. The teen Home provides therapeutic and rehabilitative services for troubled youth rooted in Christian teachings, Bible readings, and religious services. This case is the most recent legal challenge to public financing of religious-based programs.

On June 21, EPA announced a proposal for a revised national standard for ozone exposure. The proposal, mandated by court order, proposes a range from which EPA will pick its final standard. Any limit picked from within the proposed range will fall short of what is needed to protect the public health. EPA's proposed range is 0.070 to 0.075 parts per million, but in recent months scientific consensus has emerged in supporting a limit no greater than 0.070 ppm and ideally closer to 0.060 ppm. EPA has already caught a lot of flack for skirting a real decision and proposing limits weaker than scientists have recommended. But the role of the White House should be scrutinized as well.