Will Markup of Climate Bill Happen Tuesday?
Action may be blocked by Rebuplicans who don't support legislation.
Compiled by staff
Published: Nov 2, 2009
If Republicans don't stand in the way, Senate Environment Committee Chair Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., plans for a Tuesday mark up of the climate bill. The panel held hearings on the bill authored by Boxer and Senator John Kerry, D-Mass., last week. It's a measure that has the backing of all of the committee's Democrats save one, Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus, D-Mont. That committee also has jurisdiction over the legislation.
However, the bill does not have Republican support and they have threatened to block a markup by failing to grant the majority a quorum, which requires two of the committee's Republicans to attend a markup.
The Environment Committee's Ranking Member James Inhofe, R-Okla., has complained additional economic analysis from the EPA is needed to proceed. As for Baucus, he's reportedly still negotiating with Boxer, but has said in its current form he doesn't think the bill will pass muster with him or several other key lawmakers. He said that we can't afford the unmitigated impacts of climate change but can't afford the unmitigated effects of legislation either.
Permalink: Click here
Tagged: EPA
|