Climate Change: Baucus Votes Against Boxer’s Climate Change Bill

Montana Sen. Max Baucus, who was previously said he had “serious reservations” about a climate change bill being crafted by his colleagues Democrat Sens. John Kerry and Barbara Boxer, was the lone Democrat to vote against the bill Thursday in the Environment and Public Works Committee. The measure was still approved 10-1, despite the fact that Republicans boycotted the session and didn’t show up to vote. From Reuters:

Baucus' vote against the bill reflected the difficulties ahead in crafting a measure that would attract the 60 votes needed for passage by the Senate.

As an influential moderate Democrat, Baucus laid out changes he would seek, including a weaker carbon-reduction target. Other Midwestern and Southern senators from states heavily reliant on coal will seek their own changes, which could upset liberals now supporting the bill.

Baucus will get a chance to craft his own version of the bill as the chair of the Senate Finance Committee.