The environmental community and the financial industry are ratcheting up the pressure on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to act on a climate change bill by "Earth Day" (April 22). It is unclear if Pelosi will work to meet this deadline, but to those close to the issue, it does not seem feasible.
The action thus far this Congress on climate change has been in the Senate. In December, the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee approved an emissions control bill, America's Climate Security Act (S. 2191), sponsored by Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and John Warner (R-VA). S. 2191 would impose limits on greenhouse gas emissions while setting up a market-based program for the trading of emissions credits. EPW Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and bill supporters would like to see a floor vote this spring.
With 60 votes needed to prevent a filibuster, there now appear to be 45 solid votes for the bill and an additional five to ten likely supporters, with many from both parties uncommitted. In order to pass, the bill will likely have to address concerns of industry and labor, which could weaken environmental support for the bill. In fact, many environmentalists say a better chance to pass tougher legislation will come in 2009, following anticipated gains in Democratic Congressional seats and a new President.