House Passes American Clean Energy and Security Act

In a squeaker, the House passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act, by a vote of 219-212, with one super-courageous Dem voting no at the very last possible minute, just for fun!

44 Dems voted against the bill, and 8 Republicans crossed the aisle in support.

Where the Senate takes this, no one yet knows. Then, in all likelihood, conference. So there's a long road ahead yet, with plenty of opportunity for the bill to turn in either direction (though we know what direction the Senate usually turns).

Lots of specific predictions by Republicans during the debate on exact numbers of jobs that would be lost if the bill passes. But of course, they made the same predictions about the stimulus bill. And the budget. And the 1993 Clinton stimulus package. And the Clinton budget. And Medicare. And Social Security. Etc., etc., etc.

It'll make for good follow-up, anyway.

And I think I just heard Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX-01) call it the "crap-and-trade bill."

The House now joins the Senate in recess until July 6th.