It was probably never gonna happen, but now it’s official. Climate change legislation will not be passed through the budget reconciliation process. The Johanns amendment, which explicitly prevents such a move, just passed on a 67-31 vote. We’ll get you a roll call when it’s available, including the names of the significant number of Democrats who voted with the GOP. Expect to find the usual suspects on that list. And more!
Late update: I should note that the budget resolution isn’t law and this amendment applies to this budget resolution and this budget resolution only. You shouldn’t draw too many conclusions from that, of course, but it’s probably important to note, amidst all of this arcana, that the Senate hasn’t foreclosed on the option for all budgets in the future.
