US Senate Republicans block climate change plan

A landmark plan to fight climate change was defeated today in the US Senate, likely postponing action on carbon emissions limits until after this autumn’s presidential election.

Neither Democrat Barack Obama nor Republican John McCain cast votes on the climate bill but indicated that they would have supported moving forward on it. McCain had indicated previously that he would oppose the bill if more incentives for nuclear power were not added.


“I believe this legislation needs to be debated, amended, improved and ultimately enacted,” McCain said in a statement. “That does not mean I believe the pending bill is perfect, and in fact, it is far from it.”

The climate bill was defeated, 48-36, with 60 votes needed to end Republican obstruction.

Guardian