With a vote of 219-212, House dems narrowly passed the climate change bill Obama was calling for during his election campaign. Why was it so close? The idea was to pass it with the bare minimum of necessary votes as to allow some dems cover so they could vote no on it.
From Politico:
"But the all-hands-on-deck effort to protect politically vulnerable Democrats by corralling the minimum number of votes to pass the bill, 219-212, proves that there are limits to President Barack Obama's ability to use his popularity to push through his legislative agenda. Forty-four Democrats voted against the bill, while just eight Republicans crossed the aisle to back it."
This is good for Pelosi, Obama, and the two sponsors/writers of the bill House Energy and Commerce committee chairman Henry Waxman (D-Ca.) and Massachusetts Rep. Edward Markey (D)
There is a loooonnnngggg way to go in the senate. Often, these type of good bills go to the senate and get all screwed up. So we will see what the senate does with the bill. Don't cross hold your breath.
