President Barack Obama’s effort to use the budget reconciliation process to fast-track global warming legislation was officially blocked by the Senate yesterday when it voted 67-31 against the President’s move.
Under the budget reconciliation process, President Obama would only have needed 51 votes (a simple majority) to pass climate legislation and ensure that a bill couldn’t be filibustered.
Now as a result of the Senate vote, climate legislation will need 60 votes to avoid a filibuster.