'Cap and trade' fast track hits wall
Senators resist Obama linkage to budget debate
Associated Press / March 17, 2009
WASHINGTON - Eight Senate Democrats are opposing speedy action on President Obama's proposal to combat global warming, complicating prospects for the legislation and creating problems for their party's leaders.
The eight Democrats disapprove of using the annual budget debate to pass Obama's "cap and trade" bill to fight greenhouse gas emissions, a measure that divides lawmakers, environmentalists, and businesses. The lawmakers' opposition makes it more difficult for Democratic leaders to move the bill without a threat of a Republican filibuster.
The budget debate is the only way to circumvent Senate rules that allow a unified GOP to stop a bill through filibusters.
"Enactment of a cap-and-trade regime is likely to influence nearly every feature of the US economy," wrote the Democratic senators, mostly moderates, who were joined by 25 Republicans. "Legislation so far-reaching should be fully vetted and given appropriate time for debate."
It takes 60 votes to overcome a filibuster in the Senate, but Democrats and allied independents currently control 58 seats.
Under a cap and trade system, the government would auction off permits to emit greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. The auctions would raise almost $650 billion over the next decade, with the cost passed on to consumers as higher energy prices.
The cap and trade proposal is highly controversial, especially in heavily industrialized states and regions where people get their electricity from coal-fired power plants. Obama's promise to use most of the revenue to award $400 tax credits to most workers hasn't quelled the controversy since the increases in utility bills could easily exceed the amount of the tax cut.
The House and Senate Budget committees are slated to vote on the budget resolution next week, with Senate debate scheduled for the week of March 30.
There also has been speculation that the expedited rules could be used to pass a healthcare overhaul bill, but senior Senate Democrats including Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus oppose the idea, saying a healthcare bill must be enacted on a bipartisan basis.
The White House is open to the idea of using the fast-track rules for both global warming and healthcare.
"We would prefer not to start there, but we're not taking anything off the table at this point," White House budget chief Peter Orszag said last week.
© Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company.
This is a step in the right direction. Something of this important should not be pushed through hidden in the budget. If it is so important let it stand on it's own feet and debate it like Adults. The same should be done with anything that reforms Health care that will result in hugh debt to the US.