Posted on 06/30/2009 2:16:52 PM PDT by Armedanddangerous
One of West Virginia's U.S. senators is opposed to the landmark global warming bill that passed the House Friday, while the other has "serious concerns" about the measure.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- One of West Virginia's U.S. senators is opposed to the landmark global warming bill that passed the House Friday, while the other has "serious concerns" about the measure.
Aides to Sen. Robert C. Byrd issued a statement Monday that said Byrd "cannot support" the American Clean Energy and Security Act "in its present form."
Sen. Jay Rockefeller's office also issued a statement that said Rockefeller "continues to have serious concerns about the House bill."
Byrd and Rockefeller are both Democrats, and their party needs 60 votes in the Senate to block a potential Republican filibuster once the legislation reaches the floor. Currently, Democrats hold 59 of the Senate's 100 seats.
On Friday, the House narrowly passed the bill, which caps carbon dioxide emissions and sets up a market-based program for trading and selling greenhouse emissions permits.
West Virginia's House members, Democrats Nick Rahall and Alan Mollohan, and Republican Shelley Moore Capito, all voted against the bill. Among other things, they cited concerns about the bill's impact on the coal industry.
The United Mine Workers union did not endorse the bill, but said it provided a "remarkable" amount of money for carbon capture and storage projects that would ensure the "future of coal will be intact."
Lots of coal in WV, yep.
Two senators from a ‘coal state’. No surprise here.
If corrupt communist crap keeps being flushed through the bowels of the U. S. Congress there won’t be any further need for this joint body of corpses!
yes, and they know they best not run again if they vote for this.
I think Osama will lose this one and blame it all on the republicans.
They are just waiting, as with the farm state Donkeys, how much Reid will bribe them to het a yes vote.
I wrote him a four page letter about it on friday, sent it through snail mail and email and tomorrow, Byrds rep will be in the county courthouse and I can bug him too.
I figured that Byrd would be on the side of NO — now to put pressure on Rockefeller to also vote NO.
Rockefeller is a far left as he can get away with and still stay in office in WV.
Of course, the coal miners will be out of jobs.
West Virginia is coal mining country.
Wary? I guess that’s a pretty strong word for a dem in this situation.
Not to worry. No matter how many Democrats don’t vote for it, the RINOS will take over and make sure it passes. We can count on Snowe and Collins the 2 Maine bi*ches that need to be kicked out of the party and McPain will join them. If more than 3 Democrats will vote against it, other RINOS will come to the rescue. I’m sure Grahmnesty will be glad to help.
90% of our coal reserves are in 10 states. You’d think that would be good for at least 10 Senate no votes, Rep. and Dem. combined.
One of West Virginia's U.S. senators is opposed to the landmark global warming bill that passed the House Friday, while the other has "serious concerns" about the measure.Hang on tight, because I'm pretty sure the vast right wing conspiracy wants to reopen Utah's mining which was closed by Clinton almost as soon as he was sworn in.
We need a list of “NO” Democrat Senators.
On the Yes side for the Republicans, it looks like Obama will be able to count on McCain and Graham. Probably Snowe and Collins as well.
Biggest coal states are MT, IL (good luck there), WY, WV, and OH.
Only two no votes from their side won’t do it. They could still go 51 to 49 giving cover to the few demons that would have to answer for their vote at home.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.