House Agrees that Global Warming “Exists” - Rep. Rehberg "In Denial"

There is good reason to hope that the House of Representatives will pass the Senate’s successful Energy Bill (HR 6).  Recent actions indicate that the House is on the right track, at least. 

As reported by Reuters on June 27th, 2007, the House recently passed a measure included in their Interior Department Appropriations Bill (HR 2643) recognizing global climate change as a “reality”.  And, their bill provides money to do something about the problem.

By a vote of 272-155, the House of Representatives declares global climate change as a reality and increases federal investments in basic research on climate change.  By inserting this declaration in the bill, the House is pushing US policy makers beyond debate over whether there is enough scientific proof that global warming really is occurring.   

Though Rehberg made the right move by supporting final passage of the bill, he shockingly voted to strike the climate change declaration from the bill by voting in favor of an anti-environment amendment offered by Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX).  This calls into question Rehberg's support for measures to stem the climate crisis, or even to acknowledge the scientific reality of the situation. 

The House bill would increase funding for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by giving the agency over $8 billion next year, $887 million more that the Bush Administration sought, mainly for clean air and water programs.

Please contact Rep. Rehberg and urge him to support the Senate version of the Energy Bill (H.R. 6), when it comes before a vote in the House.  Also urge him to recognize that global warming is indeed a real issue and that humans play a role in both climate change and solutions to the crisis. 

Read Congressman Rehberg's statement on passage of the 2008 Interior Appropriations Bill.