After Health Care and Financial Reform, the majority wanted a carbon tax as a 'conservation measure'. They have now given up on the measure, blaming the minority. Didn't they said that Health Care and Financial Reform were dead too? Senators John F. Kerry and Harry Reid conceded yesterday that they have no chance of passing a comprehensive climate and energy bill any time soon, saying they would instead push for a limited bill to address problems with offshore oil drilling and to boost energy conservation.
"We know where we are. We know we don't have the votes,'' said Reid, of Nevada, blaming Republicans for stonewalling efforts to tackle the comprehensive bill. The Senate majority leader, calling the lack of Republican votes "deeply disappointing,'' spoke at a news conference with Kerry and Carol Browner, White House energy adviser.