Republicans Block Pipeline Responsibility Bill in Committee

The SD Senate Ag and Natural Resources Committee voted against SB 138 today. The bill would have required pipeline companies to put up a bond or other financial guarantee that they would pay for any damage caused by their pipeline. Straight party-line vote: Dems for it, GOP against.

What happened to Republicans being the party of personal responsibility? Oh, I guess we only use that line when we're trying to punish people whose behavior we don't approve of, like uppity women or poor people. We can't burden corporations with taking responsibility for their actions. We'll grant corporations personhood, but not expect personal responsibility from them. Heavens no.

But don't worry: we all know pipelines are perfectly safe, and corporations always own up to their responsibilities.