Climate-change bill needed Peterson’s vote too, not only his okay as ag chair

Proponents in the U.S. House of Representatives needed every Democratic vote they could get Friday evening – and even a few from Republicans — to pass the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) by a vote of 219–212 to cheers on the House floor. Eight Republicans backed the climate-change energy bill, with 44 Democrats voting against. Minnesota’s House delegation split on party lines, after a late deal this week brought around Rep. Collin Peterson, a Democrat and chair of the House Agriculture Committee.

Peterson has shown before he’s unafraid to obstruct Democratic-backed legislation. The bill, which includes controversial “cap and trade” measures to control greenhouse gases, now moves to the U.S. Senate.

But not before receiving a parting shot from Texas Republican Lou Gohmert, who in a one-minute floor speech said he resented colleagues’ cheering passage of what he off-handedly called the “crap and trade” bill (video).

In a statement, Ken Bradley, state director at Clean Water Action, said “While the bill is not perfect, we’ve seen strong support from our members across the state for passing ACES and moving forward toward a clean energy economy. Ultimately, our members know that energy and global warming are directly tied to our water quality and quantity. In the land of 10,000 lakes, Minnesotans want bold action to protect our natural places.”

Clean Water Action noted that Rep. Erik Paulsen, a freshman Republican, voted against the bill despite hopes that he might swing the other way in deference to home-district voters who favored Obama last November. As if to demonstrate defensiveness, Paulsen released a video within minutes of the bill’s passage to explain his vote (he does not call it “crap and trade”):