A group of 22 Democratic Senators urged Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) Monday to take up comprehensive climate legislation this year, making the case that reform would be a boost for the economy.
“Our lack of a comprehensive clean energy policy hurts job creation and increases regulatory uncertainty throughout our economy,” the letter read. “Businesses are waiting on the clear signals from Congress before investing billions in energy, transportation, manufacturing, buildings and other sectors.”
Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.), Joe Lieberman (ID-Conn.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) are expected to brief a bipartisan group of Members Tuesday on the climate proposal they have been developing for weeks.
Despite recent buzz surrounding the issue following a trip to the Capitol last week by former President Bill Clinton to encourage Democrats to take on reform, the Senate is expected to focus on smaller jobs packages and financial regulatory reform in the months leading up to the midterm elections, leaving an extremely narrow window for climate legislation this year.