Clean Energy Legislation Is Not A Partisan Issue

Senators Kerry & Graham Stress Importance Of Passing Climate Legislation

Over the weekend, comprehensive clean energy legislation passing through Congress got a major bipartisan boost.  Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) wrote an op-ed in the New York Times stressing the importance of clean energy.

The Senators wrote:

[W]e refuse to accept the argument that the United States cannot lead the world in addressing global climate change. We are also convinced that we have found both a framework for climate legislation to pass Congress and the blueprint for a clean-energy future that will revitalize our economy, protect current jobs and create new ones, safeguard our national security and reduce pollution.

Our partnership represents a fresh attempt to find consensus that adheres to our core principles and leads to both a climate change solution and energy independence. It begins now, not months from now - with a road to 60 votes in the Senate.

The op-ed was a game changer. As Climate Progress noted, Sen. Graham is no moderate -- he has an 89.79 rating from the American Conservative Union. 

Had Sen. Kerry been joined by a classic moderate like Sen. Olympia Snowe or Sen. Joe Lieberman, the op-ed would hardly have taken anyone by surprise.  But the fact that he was joined by stalwart conservative like Sen. Lindsey Graham shows that this issue is bigger than any one party. 

"The odds of a Senate climate bill just jumped through the roof. Now the Senate needs to get off its butt and get this done," concluded Climate Progress.  We couldn't agree more.