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Senate Democrats give up on climate legislation before recess
Senate Democrats say they are giving up plans to take up sweeping legislation on climate change and U.S. energy policy before their month-long recess in August. Instead, they will try to pass a more limited energy bill that will focus on responding to the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Senate Majority leader Harry Reid told reporters that Democrats simply do not have the 60 votes they need to overcome opposition Republican procedural hurdles and pass far-reaching climate change legislation before the August recess.
"Many of us want to do a thorough comprehensive bill that creates jobs, breaks our addiction to foreign oil and curbs pollution. Unfortunately this time we do not have a single Republican to work with in achieving this goal. For me it is terribly disappointing, and it is also very dangerous," said Reid.
In June of 2009, the House of Representatives passed a bill that would cap emissions from most sectors of the economy and establish a nationwide carbon market. Similar efforts have failed in the Senate.