In The News

Differing Dems unite to support
climate bill

Jim Snyder
The Hill

Liberals Henry Waxman and Edward Markey and centrists John Dingell and Rick Boucher do not always see eye-to-eye, particularly on issues relating to the environment. Waxman of California and Markey of Massachusetts are more aggressive in their support for environmental regulations than either Dingell, who is protective of Michigan’s auto industry, or Boucher, who comes from a coal-producing area in Virginia.

But the four House Democrats came together in a rare display of unanimity to write a letter in support “comprehensive energy and climate legislation.”

“We believe comprehensive energy legislation is both economically and politically achievable,” the four wrote in a letter to President Obama that was sent Friday.

The letter acknowledges the details have yet to be resolved and must accommodate districts as diverse as theirs.

Waxman’s California district is “urban, affluent, and a growing market for solar and wind energy,” whereas Boucher’s is “rural, coal-producing with a predominance of basic industry.”

Dingell’s Michigan district is suburban and middle-class with a large manufacturing workforce and many union members. And the area in Massachusetts that Markey represents is suburban, with “a mix of working families and high-tech energy innovators.”

“But our districts — and the entire nation — urgently need comprehensive energy legislation that provides a pathway to private-sector energy investments, energy independence and a safe climate,” the four wrote.

Each member will likely be critical to passing a climate bill, so the fact that they jointly wrote the letter is significant.

Waxman is the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee and Markey heads up the Energy and Environment Subcommittee — the two panels with principal jurisdiction on a cap-and-trade bill.

Dingell, ousted by Waxman as Energy and Commerce chairman, retains the title chairman emeritus and retains a large and well-respected staff. Both Dingell and Boucher will likely be needed to convince centrist Republicans and Democrats to vote yes for a climate bill.