NEWS
Climate bill meets disappointing end
06/09/2008
Heat Is On | A project of the League of Conservation Voters Education Fund
Making global warming a political priority
06/09/2008
For a moment, the climate appeared to be changing in the U.S. Senate.
Last week’s decision to bring landmark global warming legislation to the Senate floor signified the start of a long overdue discussion about the most important environmental and energy issues facing this country. And while the bill faced long odds from the get-go – and a likely presidential veto – this was an opening to begin tackling tough questions and to establish a baseline for future dialogue.
Unfortunately, opponents weren’t satisfied with simply voting the bill down. They viewed this as an opportunity to avenge past political defeats and impede debate.
Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky forced Democrats to have all 492 pages of the legislation read aloud – a nearly nine-hour ordeal that he said was prompted by residual anger over judicial nominations. On Friday, filibuster was the Republicans’ weapon of choice, as they effectively killed the bill before a scheduled vote.
These obstructionist tactics were unnecessary political ploys that only served to further delay urgently needed action on climate change. Much to our disappointment, Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison joined Republican colleagues in thwarting the vote.
For both parties, this was a missed opportunity.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and putting a price on carbon will be a difficult and complex process. Whether Congress chooses to begin what inevitably will be a long negotiation now or next year, it’s not going to get any easier.
Scientific evidence, though, makes clear that lawmakers can’t afford to dally with nine-hour dramatic readings while the planet warms. Opponents of the bill passed up the chance for a serious debate that should include a full airing of their concerns about the proposal’s economic impact.
Sadly, just advancing the bill to the Senate floor was progress. But moral victories will not move the country closer to shedding its distinction as a global warming laggard.