Republican Senators Boycott a Vote on Climate Change

Siobhan Hughes reports on climate legislation. A Senate panel approved the cap-and-trade climate bill without a single Republican. That wouldn’t be much news, except for the fact no Republican showed up for the vote. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved the measure 10-1, with Sen. Max Baucus (D., Mont.) voting against it. That all adds up to major revisions ahead as the legislation works its way through five other committees before reaching the U.S. Senate floor. The bill would require companies to hold government-issued permits for each ton of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere. The limited number of permits would set a cap on greenhouse-gas emissions, with a goal of reducing emissions 20% below 2005 levels by 2020 and by more than 80% by 2050. Negotiations have already moved beyond the committee, with Sen. John Kerry (D., Mass.) leading the talks with Sen. Lindsey Graham , (R., S.C.), and Sen. Joe Lieberman , (I., Conn.). The aim: a compromise ... (link)