Clean Energy-Climate Action Bill Passes House 219-212

categories: Clean Energy, Greenhouse Gas, Jobs & Economy, Policy & Legislation, Security

Published June 26, 2009 @ 05:23PM PT

The Waxman-Markey bill to expand clean energy and energy efficiency, and cap greenhouse gas pollution, has passed on a squeaky-close House of Representatives vote of 219 for, 212 against.

The Democrats managed to pull together enough members, despite sometimes stark differences of opinion on carbon caps, agricultural policy, continued use of coal, and other regionally-defined issues. One exception was Rep. Peter DeFazio, who (despite representing a largely liberal Oregon constituency) opposed the bill for creating, he said, a new way for speculators in financial derivatives (this time based on the price of carbon) to bring down the economy.

Meanwhile, eight Republicans bucked the party line to vote in favor of the American Clean Energy and Security Act: David Reichert (WA-8th), Mary Bono Mack (Calif-45th), Michael Castle (Del., At-large), Frank LoBiondo (NJ-2nd), John McHugh (NY-23rd), Chris Smith (NJ-4th), Leonard Lance (NJ-7th), and Mark Kirk (Ill.-10th).

The House Clerk has posted the full record of the vote.

Thanks to everyone who followed or joined me, Grist's Kate Sheppard, and the other political journo-wonks as we covered the debate and vote via Twitter. Now I'm off to rest my digits.

Video, above: Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), blew the House down when he exhorted his fellow representatives to pass the bill.

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Comments (4)

Post that Boehner "filibuster" if you dare!

Posted by Mark O on 06/26/2009 @ 06:59PM PT
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Having sat through the entire hour-plus of Rep. Boehner reading from the amendment, I would not want to be responsible for inflicting the experience on anyone else!

Those who'd like to check it out can get a blessedly brief slice at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_A2F6xy854&feature=player_embedded

Mark, you have to keep in mind that Mr. Boehner's "outrage" about the 3 am dump of the manager's amendment is about as good as however many times he and his own party pulled the same schtick when they were the majority. This is all typical in the process and the performance art of Congress.

This was extraordinarily tedious, although I had to admire his chutzpah. I'd feel more sympathetic to the underlying point if Mr. Boehner was not a steady denier of human-propelled global warming.

Posted by Emily Gertz on 06/27/2009 @ 07:46AM PT
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A clean energy is really a help to the people. Consider our situation now that we experiencing climate change. In a summer season, most of us experiencing a very hot surrounding, especially when we directly expose to the raise of the sun. Maybe, because of the layer of our atmosphere that thinning as the people abusively burn plastic or the smoke from the factory that destroys our ozone layer. It is good to hear that their is a clean energy-climate action bill, some what help the people and the environment as well.

Posted by Marty Rodriguez on 06/26/2009 @ 07:31PM PT
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I have to agree with Marty Rodriguez. Glad that the clean energy-climate action bill has been passed. Clean energy is the best solution for climate change. By the use of this bill, the production of carbon dioxide will be lessen. Our environment will be safe for air pollution and we, humans will not be at risk of environmental catastrophe.

Posted by Marty Rodriguez on 06/26/2009 @ 07:46PM PT
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