Reid, Obama Squander Climate Leadership Opportunity

July 22, 2010

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's announcement today that the Senate will not take up a comprehensive energy and climate bill is the result of Reid's and President Obama's failed leadership, Republicans for Environmental Protection (REP) said.
 
"We are very disappointed that the president and Senate majority leader have squandered opportunity after opportunity to address the nation's energy problems and safeguard our climate," said REP President Rob Sisson. "Neither one of them has been willing to support a specific proposal and expend the political capital needed to build consensus and drive it towards passage."
 
"It seems the only way to get Senator Reid and President Obama to support an energy and climate proposal is for the sponsor to deliver them 60 Senate votes on a silver platter. I'm sorry, that is not leadership," said REP Vice President of Government and Political Affairs David Jenkins. "They are the ones who need to be securing the votes, not sitting on the sideline with their fingers in the air gauging which way the wind is blowing."
 
"That moment in April when Senators Kerry, Graham and Lieberman were ready to unveil their bipartisan bill was the moment for Reid and Obama to rally to their sides. Instead, both of them chose to play politics and undermine Graham," Jenkins added.