Inquirer Says GOP Successfully Blocked Passage of Climate Bill

The Philadelphia Inquirer, in an editorial published today, said the Senate "wilted" on climate change issues as Senate Republicans "successfully blocked passage of any significant climate-change legislation" this year." While the Inquirer noted that the bill had its faults, proponents sought to have it "stuffed with goodies" to mitigate the impact on the fossil-fuel industries. "But," the Inquirer said, "the biggest piece of candy turned rancid" and efforts were made to curtail offshore energy exploration in the aftermath of the oil rig disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.

Wrote the Inquirer: "Senate Democrats are pushing a more modest climate bill defining BP's liability for the spill and tightening energy-efficiency standards. Missing will be the controversial plan to reduce carbon emissions through a cap-and-trade program. The House narrowly passed cap-and-trade in June, with eight Republicans voting for it. But the Senate never voted on its bill, which means House Republicans who voted yes have nothing to show for braving to cross the aisle."