Energy Committee Shakeup a Possible Side Effect of Louisiana Runoff

In 2007, when newly installed Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was ushering a sweeping energy bill through the upper chamber, he frequently relied on Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell to monitor senators' feelings about the bill and guide Democrats' priorities.

Cantwell was key to the bill's successful increase to corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards and guided Democratic leadership on how votes were shaking out, information she tallied on a sheet of paper with her at virtually all times on the Senate floor.

"I went to her many times yesterday and said, 'What happens if this happens, and what happens if this happens?  She knew right away,'" Reid (D-Nev.) recalled from the floor after the Senate passed the Energy Independence and Security Act in June 2007. "Words cannot describe how important Senator Cantwell was in our being able to pass this legislation."

Congress hasn't passed a sweeping energy bill since then and doesn't seem likely to do so again anytime soon.  But energy policy is expected to remain a top focus of the Republicans who will take over the Senate's majority next year, and incoming Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has pledged a return to "regular order" in which tough floor fights over amendments like the one Cantwell engaged in 2007 could become a common occurrence in the Senate.

Cantwell has generally avoided the spotlight during her 14-year Senate career, but an election next month nearly 2,000 miles from her home state could substantially raise her profile on energy policy.

If Energy and Natural Resources Chairwoman Mary Landrieu (D-La.) loses [as predicted] to Republican Rep. Bill Cassidy in their Dec. 6 runoff for the Louisiana Senate seat, it would clear the way for Cantwell, who is next in seniority on the panel behind Landrieu, to become ranking member.  Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), who has served longer than both, is expected to move from chairman to ranking member of the Finance Committee next year.

Cantwell, whose state is home to 13 national parks and zero active oil or natural gas wells, would bring a much different emphasis to ENR than Landrieu, who frequently defends the oil and natural gas industries that play an outsized role in Louisiana.

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