Nicole St. Clair, 202-289-2404
WASHINGTON (June 22, 2005) -- Today the U.S. Senate recognized the problem of global warming and declared that the U.S. needs mandatory limits on the pollution that causes it.
John Adams, NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) President, said: "This represents a monumental sea change on the politics of global warming. The White House has tried to block progress for four years, but the Senate is saying no, it's time to act."
The "Sense of the Senate on Climate Change" resolution was offered by Senators Bingaman (D-NM), Specter (R-PA), Byrd (D-WV), and Domenici (R-NM) and passed by a voice vote after a 54-43 vote against tabling the amendment.
The vote puts the U.S. Senate on record for the first time in calling for a mandatory limit on U.S. global warming pollution, and comes at a time of increasing calls for mandatory U.S. action from scientists, corporate leaders and political leaders at home and abroad.
Adoption of the resolution followed an earlier vote against a specific climate bill offered by Senators McCain (R-AZ) and Lieberman (D-CT) whose passage the White House and some industry managed to block. A number of Republicans -- including those previously opposed to action -- broke from the administration's position to go on record declaring the need for mandatory pollution cuts.
David Doniger, Policy Director for NRDC's Climate Center, said: "The center of gravity in the Senate has shifted on global warming."