Waxman-Markey climate bill passes House 219-212
Over the last 6 months we've asked you repeatedly to send emails and make phone calls to your members of Congress to support federal climate legislation. We owe you a big THANKS!. To explain, here's an update from last Friday evening from our partners at the 1Sky campaign:
The House of Representatives just passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454) this evening by a vote of 219 to 212. This bill has narrowly passed this hurdle and we will redouble our efforts to strengthen it even more in the Senate.
Check out this video from 1Sky's Campaign Director, Gillian Caldwell, for more explanation on the amazing campaign to get the bill passed and the road ahead (it's critical the bill gets stronger and that North Carolina's Senator Hagan, in particular, supports efforts to strengthen this historic bill).
Many thanks to the following NC members of Congress for supporting this historic legislation: Butterfield, Price, Etheridge, Shuler, Watt, and Miller (a letter to the editor is a great way to thank them! Contact Christopher[at]ncconservationnetwork.org for assistance).
Voting against this legislation that will create millions of green jobs over time and that will transition America to a clean energy future: all of the Republicans from NC including McHenry, Foxx, Myrick, Coble, and Jones. In addition, two Democrats voted no, McIntyre and Kissell.
Representative Larry Kissell was the most surprising and disappointing no. When Mr. Kissell was elected he appeared to be a fresh face in Washington who would stand up for meaningful change. In fact, last year as Mr. Kissell was campaigning for Congress he said:
We can’t take any more government inaction, and must seriously invest in alternative, renewable, home-grown energy alternatives now.
Mr. Kissell may get a chance to redeem himself and keep the promises he made in his campaign. If the bill passes the Senate and needs a final House concurrence vote, we'll be watching to see what he does.
