Doubt Remains for Votes Needed to Pass Climate Change
Bill will be unveiled Wednesday.
Compiled by staff
Published: May 11, 2010
Senators Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., and John Kerry, D-Mass., are pressing forward with climate change legislation despite losing the support of a key senator, Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. Lieberman told Fox News Sunday the bill has a real shot at passing. The Senator argued that the Gulf spill could help build the case for the new package, because it reminds the public of the need to transition our energy system to one that doesn't depend on oil.
Lieberman said the offshore drilling component is needed as a transitional measure. "We've got to continue to use our domestic energy resources, because every barrel of oil we get from America offshore or onshore is one barrel less we are paying to enemies of the United States around the world," he said.
Lieberman believes the bill he and Kerry plan to unveil Wednesday will have a broad base of support. Graham, says the Senate should move forward in a reasoned, thoughtful manner and in a political climate which gives the best chance at success. However he says that his view is that this has become impossible in the current environment.
Although Kerry and Lieberman claim they've made new progress toward getting a filibuster-proof 60 Senate votes for the bill, Farm Bureau Climate Change Specialist Rick Krause says dissention among the Democrats with Ag Chair Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., and Ben Nelson, D-Neb., concerned about higher energy costs along with the loss of support from Graham, he thinks the bill has a long way to go to garner 60 votes.
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Tagged: farm, Farm Bureau, energy costs
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