Senate Climate Bill Passes Panel, Baucus Only Dem Against It

WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats sidestepped a Republican boycott Thursday, pushing a climate bill out of committee in an early step on a long and contentious road to passage.

Other committees still must weigh-in on the measure, but the partisan antics early on threatened to cast a pall over the bill – one of President Barack Obama's top priorities – as it makes its way to the Senate floor and as nations prepare to meet in Copenhagen, Denmark next month to hammer out a new international treaty to slow climate change.

Sen. Barbara Boxer, chairman of the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee, had delayed the crucial vote for days because of a Republican protest over whether the cost of the legislation had been fully examined. But the California Democrat moved quickly to pass the bill Thursday, which for the first time would set mandatory limits on heat-trapping gases, without any of the seven GOP senators on the panel present. The measure cleared the panel on a 11-1 vote.

Boxer said the Republican demand for more analysis was "duplicative and waste of taxpayer dollars."

"Advancing the bill is a necessary step on the road to garnering the 60 votes we need," said Boxer, who introduced the bill along with Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass. in late September. "We are pleased that despite the Republican boycott, we have had the will to move this bill forward."

Sen. James Inhofe of Oklahoma, the ranking Republican on the committee, implored the panel to not proceed with what he called a "nuclear option" minutes before the vote. He left shortly after making his statement.

"We have not been able to find a time when a bill has been marked up without minority participation," Inhofe said. Later, in a statement, Inhofe said the move would signal "the death knell" for the Kerry-Boxer bill.

Of the 11 Democrats present at the vote, only one – Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont. – voted against the legislation, saying that concerns he had with the bill were not fully addressed. The "yes" vote of Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., was added after the vote.

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Baucus specifically cited the bill's call for a 20 percent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2020. He said he would like to see that target lowered to 17 percent, with a trigger to raise it to 20 percent if other countries adopted similar measures.

"I am going work to get climate legislation that can get 60 votes through the U.S. Senate and signed into law," Baucus said.

To move the bill out of committee without Republicans present meant the Democrats could not amend the legislation, and many Democrats on the panel expressed disappointment that they did not have a chance to improve the bill.

"The failure of the Republicans to participate means we cannot offer amendments. This is a very good start, but as the chair has acknowledged it is a start and only a start," said Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa. "It is regrettable that we could not move forward in a more constructive way."

Specter said that the vote would send a signal to other countries in advance of a climate change conference next month to hammer out a new international treaty.

"It is not the best signal, but it is a signal that the Senate is ready to move forward," he said.

Now the legislation will be merged with legislation written by at least five other Senate panels. And in the hopes of broadening support, Kerry announced Wednesday he was working with Connecticut independent Joseph Lieberman, South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham and the White House to secure votes.

The House narrowly passed its version of the bill in June.

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On the Net:

Senate Environment and Public Works: http:epw.senate.gov

(This version CORRECTS RECASTS lede. ADDS Inhofe comment. corrects Boxer title to Sen. from Rep. Will be led. Moving on general news and financial services.)

Comments

[teccoord]

The problem with the Cap and Trade legislation isn’t the underlying reason but the approach.

We are basing this legislation on a concept that is arguably affecting our Earth … Global Warming. Even though we have seen a Noble Prize, and an Oscar about Global Warming, that does not mean we need CAP and Trade legislation to stop this impending dome day’s situation. Global warming for some is still a debatable item. In fact in an Editorial in the Los Angeles Time dated 8-26-09 we can read that the US Chamber of Commerce is seeking a “Scopes monkey trial for the 21st century” appointing a judge to hear evidence on the question of does global warming endangers Americans’ health. Since then we have seen numerous editorials about Global Warming and Cap and Trade legislation needed because of Global Warming.

How do I feel about Global Warming and its affects? Don’t give a damn. It is all hot air and goes against the real truth. The real truth is as follows …

[teccoord]

I believe the approach should be similar to the way we might handle our own home environment. That is to say … we would not want our kids to play in a filthy toxic back yard, drink dirty water, breathe polluted air, swim in toxic or dirty water, and plant a garden in toxic soil … would we? I think not. Hence we need appropriate legislation to prevent the pollution of our air, land and seas. This is similar in fact to our military that protects us on land, on seas, and in the air.

In fact, if we can secure ourselves militarily in the air, on the land and on the seas and rivers, then why can’t we secure ourselves environmentally in the air, on the land, on the seas, rivers and lakes?

The Global Warming discussion and influence disappears when we have as a goal to remove the toxic influence in the three major environments that are Global in nature ... Air, Land, sea, rivers and lakes?

Sooooooooo, like the financial deregulation that lead to the bursting of the financial bubble thus leading to regulation, that to some seems extreme; we need to regulate the pollution of our air, land, seas, rivers, lakes and other consumables that effect our quality of life. Perhaps in this way Global Warming will slow down or disappear.

[Lemmy]

Go Max!

"And now comes the new Boxer-Kerry Senate bill, which would require a 20% reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions by 2020.

As a practical matter, what would such a reduction mean to us and our economy? Steven Hayward of the American Enterprise Institute calculates that a 20% reduction would mean cutting America's greenhouse gas emissions to our 1977 levels, and that would radically change both the U.S. economy and our personal lives.

As Mr. Hayward notes, we had 220 million people in America then; today we have 305 million. In 1977 our economy was produced $7.2 trillion (in 2008 dollars); today it is twice as large, at $14.2 trillion. Back then we had 145 million vehicles on the road; today we have 251 million. America has substantially grown, and our energy needs have grown as well.

Next, the amount of coal burned to generate electricity would have to be cut in half. So we would close more than 200 of our coal-fired power plants, and as Mr. Hayward says that would reduce our electricity supply by some 800 million megawatts. To replace those millions of megawatts with non-hydro renewable power sources like wind, solar and geothermal power would be virtually impossible. We have about 130,000 megawatts generated by them now, and the growth rate of these power sources over the last five years suggests it would take 97 years to make up for the shutdown of 200 coal-fired plants."

WSJ

[Travis bdboy]

But but but, nobody asked Sarah if global warming was manmade

[ProudMilVet]

That picture of Baucus, looks like he's smelling one of his own Farts !

[S1m0n]

Holy smoke, could Baucus do a great (former Canadian PM) Jean Chretien impersonation, if he learned to talk with his hands like a Quebecois.
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/images/bizphotos/435x290/200811/12/24877.jpg
http://www.notablebiographies.com/images/uewb_03_img0184.jpg

[Iam12Vote]

That's funny as he11!

[zwitterion]

This is why dems are going to get their clocks cleaned in 2010, WE DON'T WANT TO LIVE IN GRASS HUTS AND EAT LETTUCE ALL DAY. geez.

[LeighAnnes]

The Republican's would like to have this country like Mexico; a few very rich people and everyone else poor. That's why you'll be living in a hut.

[Saloontendwsd]

that's Congress Period - Both Sides Suck

[janeycat]

Well does it surprise anyone that it was back @ss that voted against the climate change bill....
WTG Barbara...­..

[Chandidevi]

Wow! The Dems have some chutzpah! Amazing! Don't stop now, Dems!!!! Keep on going right to the healthcare reform bill. You can do this!

[wilsonveteran]

Be very afraid Americans we need to pass cap and trade or the entire east coast will be under water in 5 years. We need to tripe everyone's energy bills to get this done. We need 10 dollar a gallon prices to get this done. We need to give most of that money to the government if we are going to save the planet. So what if this destroys business and puts another two million out of work it will save the planet.

Next the government needs to regulate what we eat because eating beef causes more green house gases than driving cars. Those pesky cattle emit to much methane so we need to become vegetarians it will save the planet. EPA says CO2 is a pollutant so maybe we need some population control like China.

Be very afraid progressives but have hope because government is here to help.

[kenEBport]

Nice try w/ the sarcasm, but you're really on the wrong side of the argument. In fact you're really on the wrong argument: just as honest would be to ask if what we need in the area of employment are more people out finding more oil and coal to exploit, thus carrying our economy forward for a year or two w/o working on real solutions-- or whether it's better to put an incredible amount of people to work in fields and businesses with a real future and at the same time answer present concerns with positive action.
You might find a show that I just watched a few nights ago as interesting as I did. It was a show about the beginning of the F.D. Roosevelt presidency and the creation/success of the Civialian Conservation Corp, or CCC. You may already know something about it, as I did since my father did two stints in the Corps (1933-34). I'm not suggesting that the CCC model be reproduced exactly for the present, although it's amazing how many more things are the same instead of different between the two eras. Only this,...th­ere are many proactive & positive things to be done vis a vis energy, ecology, environment, etc. that WILL be beneficial to all of us & not just the oil companies and banks--OR--everyone can keep complaining about all of it, and do NOTHING--which is the Republican Plan ( & we all see how brilliant THAT was)

[Eykis]

Ken, great post. Fanned. I saw that on PBS National Parks series. It was excellent and helped tons of people as well as improved this country.

[Eykis]

Wilson, go yell at the kids in your yard - they just messed up all the leaves you raked, AGAIN.

[Thomas Murphy]

I'm glad that you mentioned population control: it is a solution not only for America, but for the rest of the rest of the planet, as well...

[bascombe]

BAUCUS AGAIN IS AGAINST SOMETHING PROGRESSIVE

FOLLOW THE MONEY

http://www.opensecrets.org

[tel8034]

So if the Dems can do this with the climate bill WITHOUT THE RETHUGS, why can't they do the same with healthcare reform?

By the way, what's with Baucus and his "triggers" ..........­...... Seems to be a pattern with him.

What about this Baucus ..........­... Democrats will not vote for you again, unless there is a "trigger" proving you are not a closeted rethuglican

[goodpyr]

tel8034-This was just a commitee vote.

[Montanagramma]

Here we go again with the " I need to get a bill that will get 60 votes" line. Sorry Max, you used that line up with the health care bill. The only democrat to oppose the bill? When will it end?

[Rule Of Law]

Takes 51!

[LastStar]

Gramma, what's up with Max? Been out of state awhile, I thought he was a good dem. Browning grad 1961.

[Montanagramma]

Sadly, it appears that Max has begun to see his "constituency" as the health ins cos. Word is he has accepted mucho bucks from them, and then "negotiated" with the repubs long enough to delay the health bill into the August break. Then we got the teabaggers rants throughout the month. He said he was for the public option about the time of the election last yr. Even had his proposal on line including the public option. By the time the bill came through, no public option. He used the phrase that he "had to get something that would get 60 votes". Now the same phrase comes up again. And he is the only dem on the committee to oppose the green house gas reduction limits. I really thought with Max, and Testor we would get good representation by two dems. But, guess not.

[AndWeCallOurSelvesCivil]

I think we should all write to Harry Reid and demand that Unless he starts following some of the Democratic agenda, he should lose his chairmanship. As a chairman, he has by default a leadership position, and how can you be a leader when all you do is whine, and be pessimistic.

I am not saying that we have a inquisition like the republicans, but Chairmanships are a benefit of being a part of the party, and when you always vote against the party issues you should lose that privilege. Bernie Sanders, the great socialist senator from Vermont seems more like a Democrat than this tool, and he is not even a member of the Democratic party, and has no major Chairmanship. While sellouts like Lieberman and Baucus do. WHY?????

Both were against the Health Care reform. Do they want the Democrats to lose majority in Congress like '94? Because that is what their actions say.

[research]

Wow, the real issues aren't even being discussed.

Cap and Trade crashes and is played by the Banksters.

Did we learn NOTHING from the CDS crash?

1$ per ton carbon equal emissions of any pollutant.

From first principles, no one have the RIGHT to pollute the commons.

[thromulese]

Baucus likes them triggers. But he doesn’t like the health care overhaul and now he doesn’t care for climate change legislation.

So his “concerns were not fully addressed”. Poor thing just can’t catch a break. Well he can either help the dems (of which he’s supposed to be one) or he can just get out of the way. Either way works for me.