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What Will Happen With Climate Bill ?

published: June 25th 2009
source: KTIC

A floor vote on the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 is set for Friday. But will it have the votes needed for passage. After reaching an agreement with Energy Chair Henry Waxman - Agriculture Chair Collin Peterson says he can vote for the bill - but it’s unknown whether other skeptical Democrats will come on board. And while Agri-Pulse reports there are suggestions as many as 170 lawmakers are ready to support the measure - including some Republicans - most members of the GOP are adamantly opposed to the bill. In fact - the Ranking Member of the Agriculture Committee - Frank Lucas - said Wednesday it’s best to stop this bill in its tracks.

That statement was made during a conference call hosted by the co-chairs of the Rural America Solutions Group - Lucas, Missouri’s Sam Graves and Washington’s Doc Hastings. And in a statement released earlier in the day Wednesday - Lucas expressed no deal could address the devastation the legislation would wreak on America’s farms. He said it’s still the most dramatic tax increase of all time - and that the agriculture community would be hit the hardest.

But President Obama urged members of Congress to come together to pass the climate change bill - and said he’s ready to lend a hand to generate the votes needed to pass the climate change bill. He predicted the measure will transform the way we produce and use energy in America - and spark a clean energy transformation that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil and confront the carbon pollution that threatens the planet. The nation that leads in the creation of a clean energy economy - the President said - will lead the 21^st century’s global economy.