Senate Committee Approves Landmark Global Warming Legislation

The first global warming bill taken up by Congress in more than 20 years passed out of committee yesterday with a vote of 11 to eight. Bill authors John Warner (R-VA) and Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) and Environment and Public Works Committee Chair Barbara Boxer (D-CA) staved off attempts by opponents to weaken the historic legislation during a committee mark up session Wednesday. More than 150 amendments were offered in an effort to protect both the environment and the economy.

The ranking minority member, Oklahoma Senator James Inhofe led the barrage of amendments intended to lighten the obligation of industry to curb emission and the perceived accompanying threat of economic burden.Vermont Independent Bernie Sanders and Democratic presidential candidate Hilary Clinton, who sent a proxy to the proceedings, attempted to increase the percentage of pollution permits, known as “allowances”, to be sold to the highest bidder, rather than given freely to corporate emitters.

At the end of the 9 1/2 hour meeting, the bill was approved by the committee 11 to eight and the Global Warming Bill looked a lot like it did at the start—a modest down payment in the fight for climate justice with a long way to go.

Find out more: U.S. Senate on Enviroment and Public Works Committee