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Climate bill passes House; Waco’s Edwards votes no
In a triumph for President Barack Obama, the Democratic-controlled House narrowly passed sweeping legislation today that calls for the nation’s first limits on pollution linked to global warming and aims to usher in a new era of cleaner, yet more costly energy.
The vote was 219-212, capping months of negotiations and days of intense bargaining among Democrats. Republicans were overwhelmingly against the measure, arguing it would destroy jobs in the midst of a recession while burdening consumers with a new tax in the form of higher energy costs.
The legislation centers on a “cap and trade program” that has emission reduction targets of 17 percent by 2020 and 84 percent by 2050, below 2005 levels. It would require factories, refineries and power plants to cut emissions of carbon dioxide and six other greenhouse gases, blamed for global warming.
U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, voted against the bill, saying he was concerned about the potential costs the bill would impose on citizens and business owners.
“I voted against the energy cap and trade bill, because I am concerned it could increase gasoline and utility costs for families, farmers and businesses during tough economic times,” Edwards said. “Addressing global warming is a laudable goal, but I respectfully disagree with President Obama and Speaker (Nancy) Pelosi on this bill and believe it could cost jobs and hurt the economy, especially in oil, gas and coal producing states such as Texas.”
Edwards said he believed significant strides have already been made in energy conservation and independence from oil. He did not rule out the cap and trade approach completely, saying that such as bill would have to have strong protections against energy rate hikes.
“I think we need to put more emphasis on research,” Edwards said. “I think if we were to have any type of cap and trade system, there needs to be far better protection to businesses and families, in particular in states such as Texas, to protect us against rate increases, utility bills increases and gas price increases that could result from such a bill.”
At the White House, Obama said the bill would create jobs, and added that with its vote, the House had put America on a path toward leading the way toward “creating a 21st century global economy.”
The House’s action fulfilled Speaker Pelosi’s vow to clear major energy legislation before July 4. It also sent the measure to a highly uncertain fate in the Senate, where Majority Leader Harry Reid said he was “hopeful that the Senate will be able to debate and pass bipartisan and comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation this fall.”
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Comments
By POOR WORKING PERSON
June 26, 2009 9:57 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
SORRY, SORRY DAY FOR anyone who is alive. We will now be taxed to death if the Dumbells in US Senate pass this BS! CALL NOW OR YOU WILL BE VERY SORRY! It’s time to learn that the people in congress think WE WORK FOR THEM! People better wake up quick!
By haroldinMexico
June 26, 2009 10:52 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
Does anyone really believe that energy use rates (for electricity, gas and oil) won’t go up anyway? How much longer can the oil and gas lobbyists that post their comments here honestly believe that the US can continue on its current path without a comprehensive energy policy which emphasizes “green” energy and jobs?
By RobbieActuallyInAmerica
June 26, 2009 11:05 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
It’s going to go up anyway, so we might as well artificially inflate it with taxes to OUR government so they can continue to spend our nation futher into debt for “needs” we don’t need? Brilliant!
LET ME KEEP MY MONEY!!!!!!!!!
Get your grubby, politician hands out of it! It’s mine! I earn it! I work for it! Let us live our lives and get the hell out of the way! Get out and get yours Saturday @ noon at Heritage Square with the Waco Tea Party. Take It to The Streets! www.wacoteaparty.com
By Steve
June 27, 2009 8:05 AM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
Edwards need to say the real reason he voted no, is because he got thousand of calls yesterday. I tried to call his Waco office and DC office for 4 hours yesterday afternoon and lines were always busy. Seeing he is running for re election he was worried to loose that many votes.
By michael
June 27, 2009 5:19 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
Dance with who brings you to the dance. Old Chet has been two-steppin with big business and oilmen for many a year now. About time someone took his dancing shoes away from him.