Moderate Democrats Draw the Line on Climate Bill

Ten moderate Democratic legislators sent a letter to the White House on Thursday stating that they would not support any climate change bill that does not provide protections for American buinesses. 

The legislators insist that American industries will be threatened by competing companies in countries that do not have similar limits on greenhouse gases. 

The letter, which is available at the link below, states that "any climate change legislation must prevent the export of jobs and related greenhouse gas emissions to countries that fail to take actions to combat the threat of global warming comparable to those taken by the United States."

The letter continues: "It is essential that climate change legislation include a border mechanism, sufficient allowances to energy intensive industries and other effective measures that encourage international agreement and maintain a level playing field for American manufacturers."

Signatories include Senators Sherrod Brown of Ohio; Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin of Michigan; Robert P. Casey and Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania; Robert C. Byrd and John D. Rockefeller IV of West Virginia; Evan Bayh of Indiana; Russell D. Feingold of Wisconsin and Al Franken of Minnesota.

Senate Leader Harry Reid hopes to craft a climate change bill for a vote in October, but differences in moderate views such as those represented here are likely to result in a bill that is even weaker than the Waxman-Markey bill passed by the House in July.

Democrats will need every party vote in order to achieve the 60 needed to overcome a Republican filibuster. 

In addition, recent reports suggest health-care negotiations in the Senate could push climate change to the side.