A little over a week ago Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) co-authored a New York Times op-ed with Senator John Kerry (D-MA) expressing their support for comprehensive climate and energy legislation. Although Graham did not specifically endorse the bill currently before the Senate (S.1733, the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act), his call for progress on the issue has nudged fellow Republicans towards supporting the bill.
On Tuesday, the New York Times ran a piece that lays out the current state of climate legislation in the Senate. According to the Times, 43 Senators are currently either a ‘yes’ or a ‘probable yes’ vote on the bill. The Times reports that 67 Senators are ‘in play’ and 24 are ‘on the fence.’ Democrats will need to gather 60 votes to beat a filibuster once legislation comes to the floor.
The greatest significance of the Times article, however, lies in the number of Republican Senators who, after Graham’s show of support, are open to supporting legislation. Although Democrats hold the sixty seats necessary to defeat a filibuster in the senate, their margin is razor-thin and they will likely need to pick-off a few votes from the other side of the aisle.
The Times specifically mentions a number of Republicans considered ‘in-play.’ Senators Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe (both of Maine) are considered probable supporters. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) co-sponsored climate legislation in 2008 and is thus considered a possible supporter, as is Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN).
Republicans, as a caucus, are likely to push for strong nuclear provisions in the final legislation. Senator Graham has signaled as such, and the Times reported that Senators George Voinovich (R-OH), Judd Gregg (R-NH) and John McCain (R-AZ) are all possibilities if Democrats include nuclear provisions. Senator McCain’s position, however, is muddied because of his unwillingness to support a bill that includes a ‘border provision.’ Many Democrats have been pushing for a border provision to protect American industries.
Despite the complexities surrounding McCain’s position, those who support strong climate and energy legislation should feel a sense of optimism: currently there exists a strong possibility of bipartisan support for strong climate and energy legislation.
Anyone reading this who lives in South Carolina, Maine, Alaska, Indiana, Ohio, New Hampshire, or Arizona: contact your Senators!