Senator Reid Anticipates Movement on Climate Bill This Year, Denounces Murkowski’s Dirty Air Act
On climate legislation, Senator Reid said (emphasis mine):
“We have a lot on our plate. We have to finish reforming health insurance and Wall Street, and also must help bring Americans out of unemployment. But we are not so busy that we can’t find the time to address comprehensive energy and climate legislation.
“Senators Kerry, Graham and Lieberman have taken a lead in trying to craft a framework that would get more than 60 votes. We will need at least that many for two reasons: One, because any bill that seeks to rein in global warming pollution will be fought very hard by the same companies that profit most heavily from polluting. And two, because the rules of the Senate make it easy for a determined minority to stand in the way of all the good ideas you’re hearing at this forum.
Every Senator who argues that the schedule is too tight this year for climate legislation — such as Lieberman (I-CT) — should have Senator Reid’s remarks thrown in their face. Tangentially, it is interesting to see the Majority Leader speaking critically of the filibuster at a time when the practice is being hammered on a near-daily basis by commentators and legislators.
On Senator Murkowski’s Dirty Air Act amendment, Senator Reid said:
“For example, next week Senator Murkowski of Alaska may offer an amendment – to a completely unrelated bill, it should be noted – that would stop the EPA from protecting Americans from global warming pollution. It’s a highly political move, and a highly hazardous one to our health and the environment.
“If this Senator succeeds, it could keep Congress from working constructively in a bipartisan manner to pass clean energy legislation this year. That’s why I will work hard to defeat this misguided amendment.
I’m glad Reid is calling Senator Murkowski out on this publicly. Perhaps he has learned from his negotiations last year with Senator Lieberman. As I’ve argued several times before, Senator Murkowski will never support meaningful action to address climate change. Senator Reid seems to have recognized this, and appears to be dealing with Senator Murkowski appropriately:
When push comes to shove the important thing is that negotiators in the Senate are able to tell the difference between Senators who are participating in the debate in good faith and those who are not. Then they should completely ignore those who are not.
With the Majority Leader and all Democrats on the EPW Committee announcing their clear opposition, the time to move in for the kill is now.
Use the links and/or petition form below to take action:
RePower America — Protect the Clean Air Act — Write a Letter
Green For All –Tell your Senators to oppose a roll back of the Clean Air Act.
Greenpeace — Defeat the Murkowski amendment and Protect the Clean Air Act
National Wildlife Federation — Protect Your Right to Clean Air
Sign the Petition
Full petition text:
“Congress must not block the Clean Air Act’s limits on global warming pollution.”
