Angie Craig: “I have stated several times on the floor of the Senate that climate change is one of the most significant issues of our…”

“I have stated several times on the floor of the Senate that climate change is one of the most significant issues of our time. I have not changed my view. I come to the floor of the Senate today to both compliment my colleagues, Senators McCain and Lieberman, for their determination to legislatively address the issue of climate change and to object to the manner in which they have chosen to do so. Their proposal, S. 139, The Climate Stewardship Act, is portrayed by its proponents to be a modest legislative attempt to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. It is hard for me accept the word 'modest' as an accurate descriptive term for the legislation when I measure the bill by what it does--it regulates carbon dioxide--a gas that is not a criteria pollutant under the Clean Air Act is not a poisonous gas or toxic substance, and does not represent a direct threat to public health.”