Senator Andrew Mathews (R-Princeton) released the following statement of support to vote for the bipartisan energy bill that was passed out of Energy Committee with bipartisan support:

“I stand ready, along with my Republican colleagues, to advance the bipartisan energy bill that already passed out of committee. This is just the first step. We must send it to a conference committee to resolve remaining differences and keep the process moving. With only nine days left, it’s time for Democrats to face reality: they need Republican votes to balance a budget.”

Senate Democrats brought the energy omnibus bill up for a vote today but tabled it after it was amended. After a brief recess, the motion to bring the bill off the table and resume debate failed without the necessary 34 Democrat votes.