By Jennifer Dlouhy
A key Senate committee today approved a plan to impose the nation’s first-ever caps on greenhouse gas emissions blamed for global warming, over the objections of panel Republicans who have blocked work on the measure.
The Environment and Public Works Committee voted 11-1 — with seven Republican members skipping the vote — to approve the climate change legislation drafted by Chairwoman Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.
Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., was the lone Democrat to vote against the measure, primarily because of his objections to the bill’s mandate that by 2020, U.S. greenhouse gas emissions be 20 percent less than they were in 2005. Baucus wants a less-rigorous 2020 emissions cap of 17 percent — with the option of raising it to 20 percent only if other countries impose similar limits.
Although today’s vote advances the Kerry-Boxer bill out of the main panel that has a role in vetting it, that is likely to be the high-water mark for the legislation this year. At least five other committees are expected to weigh in on the issue before Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., can merge their proposals into a single global warming bill for floor debate.
Under the rosiest of scenarios for bill backers, debate on global warming legislation likely would not begin until next spring. And Sen. John Rockefeller, D-W.Va., told reporters this week that “some people are talking about not doing it until after the 2010 election.â€
Beyond the timing concern, Baucus’ “nay†vote today underscores the challenges facing proponents of capping greenhouse gas emissions. A moderate Democrat whose support is key on any climate bill, Baucus also has a platform to push for changes as chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee.
Bill backers also have to find a way to navigate any measure around a host of regional concerns and their advocates on Capitol Hill — including senators worried about the vitality of manufacturing, members from coal-reliant regions and others concerned legislation will encourage U.S. refiners to move operations overseas.
“As a landmark bill moves — not an easy bill, but a landmark bill — at each stage, you have to find a new sweet spot,†Boxer said. “And each stage requires a little bit of a different emphasis. And that is played out as everybody gets involved.â€
Kerry is already working separately with Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Joseph Lieberman, an independent from Connecticut, to write a new bill combining emissions caps with incentives for nuclear power and a plan for new domestic oil and gas drilling.
Boxer pushed the bill out of her environment committee by relying on a rarely used interpretation of panel rules that allow it to be sent to the full Senate even without members of the minority party.
Committee Republicans, led by James Inhofe of Oklahoma, objected to the move they had dubbed the “nuclear option.â€
Inhofe said he was “deeply disappointed†by Boxer’s decision to violate the “longstanding precedent of the committee.†“We have not been able to find a time when a bill has been marked up without minority participation,†Inhofe said.
But panel Democrats said it was essential to send a signal to the world that the U.S. is on a path to capping the carbon dioxide and other emissions blamed for global warming before international climate change negotiations next month in Copenhagen.
It was the Republicans who invented the “nuclear option” while Clinton was President (if I remember the time period correctly) to block anything they wanted. The Dems have never threatened to use that, but if they do, who can blame them? Fair is fair, and to complain about it, even if it does happen, is dishonest and playing very low politics. For any side to use it is evil politics, but leave it to the Repubs to come up with such a thing in the first place.
Republicans did not “invent” the nuclear option during the Clinton administration. The above story isn’t really about the nuclear option. I actually disagree with the use of the term by Republicans in this case. I would call it dirty pool, or backstabbing, or the Democrats are a bunch of jerks, but I would not call this the nuclear option.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_option
In U.S. politics, the “nuclear option” is an attempt by a majority of the United States Senate to end a filibuster by majority vote, as opposed to 60 senators voting to end a filibuster. Although it is not provided for in the formal rules of the Senate, the procedure is the subject of a 1957 parliamentary opinion and has been used on several occasions since. The term was coined by Senator Trent Lott (Republican of Mississippi) in 2005.
The maneuver was brought to prominence in 2005 when then-Majority Leader Bill Frist (Republican of Tennessee) threatened its use to end Democratic-led filibusters of judicial nominees submitted by President George W. Bush. In response to this threat, Democrats threatened to shut down the Senate and prevent consideration of all routine and legislative Senate business. The ultimate confrontation was prevented by the Gang of 14, a group of seven Democratic and seven Republican Senators, all of whom agreed to oppose the nuclear option and oppose filibusters of judicial nominees, except in extraordinary circumstances.
How bout’ the entire premise of the legislation is bunk! There is no proof, no evidence, nothing that suggests that anthropogenic production of CO2 is warming the planet. Other than computer models that have been utterly wrong in just about every prediction that they made in the last twenty years. It’s insane!
This is what we get when the public continues to re-elect lifers. Boxer, et al. If you are agnostic suggest that you think about saying a prayer. Bunk it is, bunk it will continue to be! The dumbing down of America. Let them do what they want. You could have stopped them. Unfortunately, reality TV, Oprah etc. was more important? Voting? “It doesn’t make a difference.” You are now seeing what you voted for or did not vote against, or did not vote for at all. They will then deal with the consequences come 2010, IF People wake up. Hopefully the American people will finally see reality and vote the bums out.
Paul I was watching a show on the history chanel about the rise and fall of the Berlin wall. There was an East German that escaped with his and another family by building their own baloon. He said, (and I’m paraphrasing because I don’t remember exactly what he said) Freedom is so precious but you have to come from a place where there isn’t any to appreciate it. If you are born into it you don’t understand what it is and you take it for granted.
I think the people here aren’t stupid, they just don’t know what they are giving away. I personally did not understand what it was until I went on a Czechoslovakian border tour in 1988. I saw how they had built a fence so no one could leave. Complete with watchtowers, mine fields, and patrols with dogs. It was a prison. Everyone was a prisoner of the state. And that is not an exageration. (No hyperpole here Rob). I was very happy for those people when the the Soviet Union collapsed.
Can’t happen here? I don’t know, but with climate treaties and government wresting control of the healthcare system from the private sector it would give the government a say in every single aspect of our lives. This does not sound like freedom to me. It sounds like complete and utter domination.
So, yes! Let’s vote the bums out, and make sure the people we put in work FOR us, not against us.
The Republicans tried their dirty tricks after years of having a good-ol’-boys bungler in the main office. So they lied about Obama. Stooped as low as they could go with dirty tricks against a man who will not stoop that low to play their game. Yet still, those who are now griping about having to pay for our consumptive lifestyles come swinging. Poor losers. You’d have to have your head in the sand to believe that we aren’t major contributers to global warming, with our mass-produced, everything-we-want attitudes. Did we really think that things could continue with the status quo and the bill not eventually arrive on our doorstep?
So now we need to pitch in and use some of that great American intelligence and creativity to find ways to adapt to a changing world. We need to work at reducing our production of harmful gasses and toxic chemicals and nuclear waste. We need to pitch in and help the world, not just the U.S.A., become healthy again. And if global warming is indeed a partial product of natural causes, then we can at least help everyone adapt and help the process to slow down in order to give us the possibility of having time to adapt. Are you willing to look at your grandchildren and say “We did nothing because we did not believe we were at fault?” Is it worth the risk?
Sue: What “dirty tricks” are you talking about? Be specific. And what lies are you talking about? Again be specific. Or are you just repeating things you’ve heard on CNN?
Also, where have the global temperatures risen? The answer is they haven’t. How can humans be a major contributor to global warming if the globe is not warming? Hmm?
I wonder how much research you have actually done for yourself, other than watch CNN. Do you have any original thoughts? Because all I see above are Leftist eco-greenie talking points that I have heard repeated ad nausium for 20 years. I bet you think CO2 is a pollutant, and the Polar Bears are endagered too. Don’t you?
As Lord Monckton says, don’t believe me. Don’t believe what anyone says. Do your own research. Look at what was predicted to happen, and then look at what has actually happened. You will find that the predictions are not even close to reality.
I do agree with you that we need to adapt to climate change, because the climate is always changing. It has continuously changed for 4.5 billion years, and it will continue to do so until the Sun blows up.
Neil, I remember the border checks with the guns checking our passports in Europe in the 70’s. Don’t want to ever see that in America. Not that it will ever happen, but, who knows in these troubling times.
Hi Sue- you are too reasonable for thist site. But thanks, I like what you posted.
Of course you liked it, she IS you.
The two party system has already been bought and paid for. The rich control politics… Always have… Only now it is much more transparent. What to do? Well, number one, stop voting for these hypocrites! The need, and many say the predominate issue, for us to keep private money out of political campaigns. Public funding is the only answer. Money should not be seen as free speech… Standing up and speaking freely is what our founders meant by “Free Speech” . And hey folks- this was supposed to be about Free Speech for INDIVIDUALS- not Corporations!
Ah, but there was a time when Third Parties struck!
Wikipedia says, “Labor Party was the name or partial name of a number of United States political parties which were organized during the 1870s and 1880s.
The Social Democratic Workingmen’s Party of North America was formed in 1874. By 1877 the party changed its name to the Socialist Labor Party of North America, and continues under that name.
In 1877, the racist Workingman’s Party was formed in California, led by Dennis Kearney; by 1879 it was powerful enough to help re-write the state constitution of California, inserting provisions intended to curb the powers of capital and to abolish Chinese contract labor.
In 1878, the Greenback Party, under the influence of leaders of organized labor, changed its name to the Greenback Labor Party, and continued to operate in some states, electing a congressman as late as 1886; but by 1888 had dissipated. In 1886, a United Labor Party was organized in Chicago under the leadership of that city’s Central Labor Union; It drew over 20,000 votes for its county ticket in the fall of 1886, and in the following spring elections garnered 28,000 votes for its candidate for Mayor; but by 1888 it had merged with the Democratic Party in that city.
Theodore Roosevelt’s Bull Moose Party split the Republican Party in 1912, long before Sarah Palin got around to it.
So, you see, there is still hope for America!
Rob, again, nothing to do with global warming.
Neil,
Now I am starting to believe that we are wasting our time with Rob. Rob is a moonbat.
You have “Free Speech” here. I want to keep it that way as well as others. I assume that you agree.
Shhhhh! (whisper) it’s only free speech for people who agree with Rob. Didn’t you get the memo?
Gee, Thanks Paul. And Neil, politics DOES have a lot do to with this issue as I have pointed out almost constantly. To say it doesn’t is disengenuous. Maybe you’d like it to be free of political ties, but in reality… Not. And in addition to that, many have posted different aspects of frustration with both political parties, and the political process. They are talking about what is really wrong with our society right now, and relates to this issues and many if not all others, because politics effects everything and how we act on something or don’t act on something. It is an aspect, apart from the science of this issue that needs to be addressed, because not to do so would be to ignore a pretty big part of what this site is trying to do, which is to fight and influence not only the science of climate change but also the politics of it. So please stop your nagging about that. Even Paul brings up politics- and you don’t scold him about it. I’m not the one who engaged the politicians regarding this issue. And to try to ignore that aspect of this issue is ridiculous.
Well then address politics in a way that pertains to global warming.
I don’t see how a discussion of third party politics has anything to do with global warming. Name one!
I can only think of one. Why don’t you come up with one and then I will see if it’s the same thought. I bet a bucket of sunshine that it’s not, but go ahead, impress me.
How does third party politics relate to the issue of global warming?
(Oh, and Rob, to respond to a particular post you press the reply button that is right below it, not the one at the end of all comments. That one is to reply to the original story posted.)
Like this!
Oh, and don’t put words in my mouth Rob. I never said that politics doesn’t have much to do with this issue. How can I be disingenuous if I never said that. That must be another trick out of the rules for radicals. Say I said something that I didn’t say so you can then call me disingenuous.
This is a political hot potato, which is why I don’t like to delve into the politics very deeply, but I have never, ever said that it’s not political. Nice try, but it’s a swing and a miss.
Ok I’m not going to wait for you to respond so I will give you what I think is the relation of third party politics to global warming. Ready? Here goes.
Third parties tend to split the Republican vote and the result is usually that Democrats get elected. And Democrats are primarily, with very few exceptions, pro AGW. And will push the AGW-green agenda. How do you like them apples?
You can call us idiots Rob, but just saying it doesn’t make it so.
Robby Boy, you don’t bring up politics? What’s a “Repub???” in your words. Get real.
Not like this!
Neil, He’s Saul re-incarnated. Need I say more?
I disagree Paul. He is a Saul wanna-be. If he were the re-incarnation of Alinsky, he wouldn’t be wasting his time here arguing with me. C’mon, who am I?
I readily, and happily, admit that I am nobody. I have no power, no property, no influence. I am a have-not.
…don’t sell yourself short, Neil. As a person exercising the Liberty of considered, free thought has MUCH more power and influence than imaginable. Elsewise, those ‘others’ who think they have the knowledge to dictate ‘what is best for us all’ would not feel the need to discuss ‘methods/legislation’ to silence those of us who exercise free speech.
Same as Me Neil! We are just a “Commoner” as Robby Boy says. Neil, get back on point. You and I are somebody. I’m sick of people labeling people like you and I as “less than.” Self made we are and self made we will continue to be.” Stay in the fight!!!
Neil, You are one of the “beacons of light” on this site. Your posts inspire people to respond. I do not take that lightly. I, as well as others, can see you are a man of “honor” that I respect!! Keep it up and “let your voice be heard”!!! That’s the old Scot coming out again. Need you Neil! Stick in there!
Neil, The “Real Game begins in 2010.” You, as well as others can definitely make a difference. Later.
Neil you did just say more or less that politics doesn’t ahve anything to do with this- you have other times soe I don’t know why you want to lie about that. I don’t thnk I’ve been very disparagaing- you have been more so to me, especially Paul. You are hypocrites, I can’t help that. That is really all I call you besides deniers. And thin-skinned- I forgot about that one. Anyway, you guys don’t seem to understand that your Republican party is also to blame for our problems, and they are USING the climate issue to gain votes, but mostly as an excuse to make Dems look bad, and many of the articles on this site are exact examples of that. It’s that simple. You had 8 years of you’re people ruling and you think that one year of having Dem rule suddenly caused all our problems, and that voting the same old Repubs back in in 2010 will make it all better? That’s simply insane.
Since the founding of the nation, there have been dissenters to the inalienable rights of “life, LIBERTY and the pursuit of happiness.” In the history of this “Great Experiment,” there have been wars and recessions, even a crippling depression. What we ALL are observing at this point along the time/space continuum is not something that can be ‘blamed’ on the ‘last eight years.’ The thread of it can be traced to the foundation of the nation-READ American History-and see that it became a particularly debilitating blight at the onset of the stock market crash of 1929. God bless the Executive Office and Congress of that era with the ideas they had to recover from that…but there is NO blessing for the opportunists who perpetuated those programs because they saw how they could PERSONALLY benefit from them…on the backs of those they ‘claimed’ to serve! So this present malady can NOT be pinned on the “last eight years” alone. Rather, the ‘blame’ should be laid squarely at the feet of those elected and appointed (particularly over the last 80 years) who lie while looking constituents in the eye and say “Vote for me as your representative in government, when you do, I’ll go to Washington and help! – (mySELF to the output of your ingenuity.) By the way, check the grammar in the post. it contains an incorrect use of “you’re”…in much the same manner as was Neil lambasted for lack of checking for spelling/grammar. talkabout a pot calling a kettle black. (sic)
Ouyxrd- I agree with you 100%. I’m just trying to get these true believers on here to wake up to those facts. I used to blame it all on Repubs, but not anymore. It’s true the Repubs turned completely evil before the majority of the Dems, but they are both the problem now, and the fact we have no real democracy anymore. And maybe we never really did- but I believe that is what we need, to save ourselves. And I may ask you this- Who have been the dissenters to those “rights” you listed? The rich that’s who. That’s a fact.
I have never criticized Neil or anyone else for typos. But he has. I’m not that anal.
Typical hind-sight always blaming Bush. Never changes does it. It has been a year with our President and he has spent more time on inane action items then any President in history costing us trillions. I note, that he is finally getting his priorities right and now focusing on the economy It’s about time, Duh! that Cap N Trade will be shelved and hopefully the demise of the health care now pending will be voted down. I think that our President, and yes, he is OUR President, has alot of soul searching to do in the upcoming months to get the economy motivated, as well as the public to get the country back on track again. Forget about climate change, “Global Warming” etc. Unless he changes his stance in th upcoming months it really doesn’t matter what you or I post because we will be toast!!
Paul you are a broken record. Maybe you should actually try and fully comprehend what you choose to instantly criticize. Might be a nice change for you.
My thoughts are my own. I don’t read scripts nor sound bite from Albert. Sorry. I will never change.