Climate Change Bill Dies Without Oregon Senators Voting

CLIMATE CHANGE  SMITH  WYDEN  ENVIRONMENT 

By April Baer

Portland, OR  June 6, 2008 2:24 p.m.

A key bill on climate change died in Congress Friday. April Baer reports on how Oregon's senators voted.

In short -- they didn't!

Opponents of the Warner-Lieberman bill were able to extend debate, and stave off efforts to move the bill forward.

Neither Democrat Sen. Ron Wyden nor Republican Sen. Gordon Smith -- was put to the test with an up-or-down vote.

For Smith, it was an opportunity to make some green points without having to cross his party. Smith was one of seven GOP members who joined Democrats to call for a final vote. But they didn't have the numbers to end a Republican filibuster.

Smith is running for re-election this year. His Democratic opponent, State Representative Jeff Merkley, says Smith has voted against other significant bills on climate change.

Smith has crossed over several times in recent years, but received only a 32% lifetime score from the League for Conservation Voters on green issues.

Ron Wyden co-sponsored the original Warner-Lieberman bill, but never stated a position on the version that just died.

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