Senators have adopted an amendment offered by Senator Mike Johanns (R-NE) to the concurrent budget resolution (S.Con.Res. 13) by a vote of 67 to 31.
It would “ensure complex and far-reaching cap-and-trade legislation would not be slipped into law using budget reconciliation,” according to a press release.
Mr. Johanns cited a letter written by himself, Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV) and 30 other members which voiced opposition to the use of reconciliation on climate change.
Some Democratic members argue that the Senate has rarely if ever passed legislation that would take parliamentary procedures off the table.
Reconciliation is the budget parliamentary procedure which allows legislation to be fast-tracked and passed by only a simple majority.
It’s not clear at this time if the amendment will be removed in conference with the House.
