Earth Equity News

Reid's Comments Add Uncertainty to Climate Vote's Timing. By Darren Samuelsohn, ClimateWire, September 16, 2009. "Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) added another layer of uncertainty to the prospects for passing a comprehensive climate bill this year by opening the door to punting the legislation into 2010, only to have a top aide walk back from his boss' comment a short while later. Jim Manley, a Reid spokesman, insisted last night that 'no decisions have been made' on floor timing for a comprehensive climate and energy bill. 'We still intend to deal with health care, [Wall Street regulatory] reform and cap and trade this year,' Manley added in an e-mail. But a few hours earlier, Reid had suggested that the global warming legislation could be tossed to the sidelines because of a packed legislative agenda that includes equally bruising battles over health care and Wall Street reform. 'So, you know, we are going to have a busy, busy time the rest of this year,' Reid said. 'And, of course, nothing terminates at the end of this year. We still have next year to complete things if we have to.'"