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HR 2454, the Waxman-Markey bill on energy and climate change (aka the "American Clean Energy and Security Act" or "ACES") passed the United States House of Representatives, 219-212. Eight Republicans voted with the majority, 44 Democrats voted against the bill (unofficial it’s now official–roll call here). Call it landmark, call it watered down, call it a strike against global warming, or a soft toss to the coal industry, this is a major move forward for one of the President’s seminal policy initiatives.
Beau Friedlander presented a detailed rundown of the highs and lows of this bill earlier.
The vote was preceded by over an hour of “filibuster” from Minority Leader John Boehner. With only two-and-a-half minutes allotted to him, the Ohio Crier spoke for well over an hour, going page by page through the bill and inventing “arguments,” seemingly on the spot, to whatever language he happened to read. And, no, there is no official parliamentary process in the House for filibustering the way the US Senate does.
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44 cowards and 8 brave souls…passed by one extra, too. I like that. Obama proves once again that the art of compromise leaves both sides somewhat unhappy. I like that, too.
GObama!!
I say soft toss to big coal. Lobbyist bonuses all around.
Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!
the Ohio Crier spoke for well over an hour
jeebus. all this guy is good for is noise.
Did I just hear Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX)refer to the legislation as the “Crap and Trade Bill” while mourning its passage?
It’s the least they can do.
I strongly support this legislation; unfortunately, I believe there is not an iceberg’s chance in hell it will make it through the Senate.
It has been reported that Obama had to personally lobby individual Reps for this victory. That’s two weeks in a row where the president had to get on the phone to whip votes. Uh, Rahm, Nancy, Steny, isn’t that your job?
Mark Shields considered the passing a very big deal…not perfect. But a game changer in the sense the topic has moved from the question asking/denying there is a climate problem…now, that’s progress.
Why don’t they censure Boner for being an asshole?
But that would destroy the vaunted Senate atmosphere of false civility!
Please don’t use “Boner” and “asshole” in the same sentence.
I’m trying to concentrate here!
Still time to “fix it in conference,” in case the corporations didn’t get everything they wanted today.
It also proves The Man will get on the telephone and whip votes when it matters to him.
Unlike on, say, cramdown.