TPM: Climate Bill Passes Senate Committee Amid GOP Boycott, Baucus Opposition

Senate Bill Passes Senate Committee Amid GOP Boycott, Baucus Opposition
Brian Beutler
November 5, 2009, 9:58AM

A major climate change bill passed out of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee amid a Republican boycott this morning, setting the stage for other panels to amend the legislation. The final vote was 10-1. Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT)--whose Senate Finance Committee probably have its own crack at the bill--was the lone hold out. Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) was not present, and no Republicans showed up to vote.

Baucus says he wants near-term emissions targets softened, and to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from stepping in to regulate carbon emissions on its own, pursuant to a 2007 Supreme Court ruling.

After the vote, ranking member James Inhofe (R-OK) appeared on Fox News and, in predictable fashion, lambasted the legislation, calling the committee's actions "unprecedented."

Chair Barbara Boxer wasn't nearly so glum.

"We found, after questioning the EPA extensively, that the Republicans' demand for another EPA analysis now would be duplicative and a waste of taxpayer dollars," Boxer said.

more...

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/11/climate-bill-passes-senate-committee-amid-gop-boycott-baucus-opposition.php?ref=fpa