Clear skies ahead for dirty skies

Centrist compromise in the Senate staves off "nuclear option"; industry lobbyists rejoice. Legislation on deck includes another go at a federal energy bill, CAFTA, permanent repeal of the estate tax, and asbestos litigation reform.

Says one Republican lobbyist of the judicial nominations compromise, "It clears the skies, particularly for asbestos and other things that are immediately pending in the Senate . . . But it does not clear away the animosity that grew out of the debate. That’s going to linger like a bad smell." (Roll Call)