Dems Set Timetable for Energy (and Climate?) Legislation

Mike Allen has the scoop: The White House has instructed the Senate to take up its energy bill — which looks increasingly unlikely to include meaningful climate provisions, particularly after President Obama chose not to push for them in his speech last night — the week of July 12. House and Senate leaders, if all goes according to plan, will then merge their two bills after the November midterm elections, so that House Democrats won’t have to defend yet another contentious vote to their constituents.

Allen reports:

Phil Schiliro, the White House congressional liaison, has told the Senate to aim to take up an energy bill the week of July 12, after the July 4 break (and after the scheduled final passage of Wall Street reform). Kagan confirmation will follow, ahead of the summer break, scheduled to begin Aug. 9. The plan is to conference the new Senate bill with the already-passed House bill IN A LAME-DUCK SESSION AFTER THE ELECTION, so House members don’t have to take another tough vote ahead of midterms.