by Agence France-Presse
Senate Majority Leader Harry ReidWASHINGTON—Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Tuesday he was determined to pass sweeping bills to overhaul immigration and to battle climate change this year despite stiff opposition to both measures.
“Immigration and energy are equally vital to our economic and national security. And we’ve ignored both of them for far too long. I’m committed to doing both this session of Congress,” Reid told reporters.
Reid pledged to act first on legislation to combat global warming, noting that the bill was “much further down the road as far as a product” and stressing that “if you have a bill that’s ready to go, that’s the one I’m going to go to.”
His comments came after a key Republican, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), abruptly pulled out of efforts to push forward on a compromise energy and climate bill, citing Democratic plans to move first on immigration.
Graham, Democratic Sen. John Kerry (Mass.), and Independent Sen. Joe Lieberman (Conon.) had been set to unveil their bill on Monday, but the Republican’s abrupt about-face scuttled the plan.
Kerry said Tuesday that he was poised to send the legislation to the Environmental Protection Agency for a formal assessment of its likely impact on the U.S. economy and on emissions of greenhouse gases. “We are sending the bill to be modeled, now, with Lindsey Graham’s consent and agreement,” said Kerry. “So we’re full speed ahead, folks, notwithstanding this moment of public stall, and we hope the issue can be resolved soon.”
The House of Representatives passed its climate and energy bill last year, and Democratic leaders there say action on immigration will depend on the Senate.
Senate Democrats and their two independent allies control 59 seats and will need at least one Republican to join them on both bills in order to rally the 60 votes needed to ensure passage over any delaying tactics.
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