RK ARCHIVE - Webb Joins Majority Standing Up to GOP Climate Filibuster

A total of 54 senators today supported moving forward with the Climate Security Act this morning, just short of the 60 needed to break a Roadblock Republican filibuster. (Whatever happened to that nuclear option? Kidding! Sort of.)

The cloture vote failed 48-36 (60 needed to break GOP filibuster). An additional six senators entered statements into the record that they couldn't make the vote but would've voted to move forward with the bill, bringing the total to 54 senators in support. It's nearly a reversal of the 38-60 vote in June 2005 on the McCain-Lieberman Climate Stewardship Act, a much weaker bill. Amazing how far the Senate has shifted in just three years!

Only four Democrats voted against moving forward -- Sherrod Brown (OH), Byron Dorgan (ND), Tim Johnson (SD) and Mary Landrieu (LA). I've already heard that environmentalists are especially furious at Brown after working hard to get him elected in 2006.

Both of our Virginia senators voted the right way. It's a shame Senate Republicans wouldn't get behind Sen. Warner's last major piece of legislation. But Sen. Webb deserves a major thanks, as do all the Virginians who urged him to back climate action! You can email Sen. Webb or call him at 202-224-4024.

Comments

So what next? (Alter of Freedom - 6/6/2008 11:48:43 AM)

What are forseeing as the next step in all of this. Obviously the McCain-Liberman Act was made stronger in the Security Act version and of course the WH supports niether piece of legislation in reality no matter what the token rhetoric is but where do we go from here.....other than the election this Fall. What was Brown's rationale in OH? I was not surpirsed by ND, SD really but thought Brown would have gone the other way.

Eyes turn to the House (TheGreenMiles - 6/6/2008 12:00:49 PM)

Rep. Markey introduced a climate bill last week. Rep. Dingell is supposed to hold hearings on it and several other bills next week. I'll let you know if I hear reasons on Brown.

Look to November (Shenandoah Democrat - 6/6/2008 1:00:19 PM)

The only way meaningful climate legislation will ever pass is with a filibuster proof majority, and Obama in the White House. Getting to 60 in the Senate is not as difficult as it was just a few months ago, and that may end up being the final goal of '08-- After Obama, Go for 60 Senators.
One of the key Senators may well be in trouble!! Mitch McConnell has a strong opponent and polls are within the margin of error. Likewise in places like Alaska, Texas and Maine. Given Democratic gains in Oregon, Minnesota, Virginia, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Colorado, that gets us real close. We'll need one extra because turncoat Lieberman will finally be forced out of the caucus.

Further on down the road (David Campbell - 6/6/2008 3:05:33 PM)

The McCain-Lieberman bill was flawed, but I thought it was the best that was achievable this year. I agree with Shenandoah Democrat. With Obama in the White House and a bigger Democratic majority in Congress, we should be able to get a meaningful bill passed next year.

Webb is on CBS Sunday Morning (Used2Bneutral - 6/6/2008 4:25:32 PM)

On Sunday, Senator Jim Webb will sit down with Bob Schieffer on CBS's "Face the Nation" to discuss pressing issues of the day.

WHO:
Senator Jim Webb

WHAT:
Interview with Bob Schieffer

WHEN:
Sunday, June 8th, 10:30 AM ET
(Check your local listings)

WHERE:
CBS's "Face the Nation"

I had thought Sherrod Brown might be veep material... (Kindler - 6/7/2008 10:14:18 AM)

...but maybe I'll rethink that idea.

I'm glad that Jim Webb listened to his constituents and did the right thing. Now there's veep material!

(BTW, this year the bill is Lieberman-Warner, not McCain-Lieberman as it was in previous years.)