Fight to restrict EPA comes to TV

The Senate is preparing to debate an amendment to restrict the EPA's power to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, and both sides have taken to the airwaves.

Tue, Mar 29 2011 at 10:03 AM EST

TO THE AIRWAVES: A new debate over emissions regulations is set to begin in Washington this week. (Photo: Vpickering/Flickr)

A commercial blitz focused on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has hit Washington, D.C., as lawmakers prepare to debate a bill that could greatly limit the agency’s power.

The U.S. Senate is scheduled to vote on an amendment that would prevent the EPA from regulating greenhouse gas emissions. The amendment, proposed by Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) would essentially keep the EPA from enforcing carbon emissions standards set by the Clean Air Act. The vote is expected to be close in the Senate. The Republican-controlled House is much more sympathetic to McConnell’s cause.

Senate Democrats including Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) are likely to support McConnell's bill. And when things get this close on such a hot topic, you know that the fight will move to the airwaves.

I noticed one particular commercial over the weekend. It was supporting the EPA, and used children and poison to make the point for defeating the McConnell amendment. The video was paid for by American Family Voices.

Then, while reading The Hill, I read an opinion piece in support of the McConnell amendment written by Jay Timmons, the CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers. Timmons refers back to a website opposing the EPA’s efforts, NoNewRegs.org, which doubles as the website for the National Association of Manufacturers. Their video can be seen here:

This all goes to show that it doesn’t have to be election time to get some good political commercial action. My question is, do either of these commercials make a big enough impact to change people’s minds? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.