Boston, MA—Environment Massachusetts applauded Senator Kerry today for voting to advance the Climate Security Act (S. 3036), the most comprehensive global warming legislation ever considered by the full Senate. Unfortunately, by a vote of 48-36, the Senate fell short of the 60-vote threshold needed to move forward with the bill, causing consideration of the bill to end without any substantive votes on the measure. An additional six senators, who missed the vote, submitted statements indicating that they would have voted to move forward had they been present.
Scientists warn that if we don’t act quickly and boldly to reduce our emissions of global warming pollution, the United States and the world risk devastating damage to our environment, economy, and way of life.
According to Environment Massachusetts, the United States must commit to the emission reductions science tells us are necessary, make polluters pay for their pollution, and aggressively promote the energy efficiency and renewable energy infrastructure that will enable us to transition to a clean energy economy.
“The solutions exist today that can get us much of the way there. And states across the country are already making these solutions a reality,” said Winston Vaughan, Field Organizer for Environment Massachusetts. “Today’s vote again demonstrates the lack of federal leadership on this issue and the need for bold state action to reduce global warming pollution. We applaud the Massachusetts Senate for showing that leadership by passing the Global Warming Solutions Act, and call on the State House to act quickly to send the bill to the Governor’s desk.
“Unfortunately, the Senate Republican leadership, backed by Big Oil and coal and a presidential veto threat, made clear this week that they are intent on blocking action on global warming. At every turn, they used procedural maneuvers to obstruct consideration of the bill,” said Vaughan.
“Next time around, the polluters and their allies in Congress won’t get off so easy. In the weeks and months ahead, we’ll educate and mobilize the American public on the urgent need for action to stop the worst effects of global warming and the many opportunities inherent in a massive transition to a clean energy economy, helping to pave the way for stronger legislation next year that will get the job done,” concluded Vaughan.
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Environment Massachusetts is a statewide environmental advocacy organization.
