Obstructionists Block Bipartisan Climate Bill

WASHINGTON, June 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a statement of
Betsy Loyless, Senior Vice President, National Audubon Society:

"The oil industry and their allies in the Senate Republican leadership are
squarely to blame for blocking climate legislation. Opponents of the bill by
their own admission were not interested in debate or policy, but merely
scoring political points.
"It's now clear that climate legislation enjoys support from a bipartisan
majority of the Senate. We are confident that the stage has been set for a new
president to champion legislation to ultimate victory next year.
"We congratulate Senators Boxer, Lieberman and Warner for their hard work as
true champions for energy independence and environmental stewardship. The real
solutions that are to come will be a result of their hard work."
MORE INFORMATION
The Senate voted 48-36 today to proceed with debate on global warming
legislation. Six absent senators issued statements indicating they would have
voted favorably for the bill if they were able to attend. Thus, actual support
would have totaled 54 votes. While short of the 60 votes needed to break the
Republican led filibuster, a 54 vote majority of the Senate was on record in
favor of taking action to solve global warming.
In recent days, evidence came to light through a leaked memo that the
Republican leadership intended to block a fair and open debate on the Climate
Security Act while engaging in a process of political gamesmanship.
For more information on the climate crisis visit www.audubon.org.

Contact: Tony Iallonardo
Tel. 202-861-2242 ext. 3042

SOURCE National Audubon Society

Tony Iallonardo of National Audubon Society, +1-202-861-2242, ext. 3042