In some twisted way, perhaps it doesn’t matter that Sen. Cory Gardner ignored more than 10,000 calls, emails and faxes asking him to vote “no” on the repeal of the Methane Rule.
When the vote was called on the last day possible for using the Congressional Review Act, preventing any similar legislation in the future, it was likely to win.
Gardner’s party does not like to lose, so if they don’t have the votes, they don’t call a vote. Gardner stated that he’d heard from “Western Slope businesses” that they wanted the rule repealed. Rep. Scott Tipton already voted for repeal of the rule in the House, perhaps believing that the largest methane cloud in the country, over northwest New Mexico, respects state boundaries.
Enter Gwen Lachelt, a La Plata County commissioner, who went to Washington, D.C., and had the opportunity to speak to Sen. John McCain, the Arizona Republican, about the dangers of methane to both our health and to our economy (Herald, May 10).
Along with Sens. Susan Collins and Lindsey Graham, McCain broke with his party and did what is best for “We the people,” and what is right. I find it delightful that he cast the 50th vote against repeal, and Sen. Michael Bennet cast the 51st vote, making Vice President Mike Pence’s trip to the Senate to break the expected tie a waste of time!
Hopefully, Gardner and Tipton realize that voting with industry and against their constituents will not get them re-elected.
Laurie Costello
Durango
