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Greenhouse emissions: Murkowski resolution goes down to defeat in stupid episode that means nothing
The Murkowski "Resolution of Disapproval" to overturn the EPA's endangerment finding on carbon pollution was defeated in the Senate today by a vote of 53-47. Every one of the Senate's 41 Republicans -- including "moderates" considered possible "Yes" votes for climate legislation -- voted in favor of it, along with six Democrats: Mary Landrieu (La.), Blanche Lincoln (Ark.), Mark Pryor (Ark.), Ben Nelson (N.D.), Evan Bayh (Ind.), and Jay Rockefeller (W.Va.).
Everything about the Murky Resolution episode has been, not to put too fine a point on it, stupid. Start with the resolution itself: It would have overturned the EPA's scientific judgment that carbon pollution is a threat to public health and welfare. That is a direct assault, by Congress, on the findings of agency scientists echoing a broad scientific consensus. Our legislature voting to reject scientific findings ... wonder how that looks to our international allies.