As of today, Democratic leaders do not have enough votes to move the Waxman-Markey legislation forward. They were hoping for a House subcommittee markup this week on the energy and global warming bill.
This bill would establish a cap-and-trade system to curb greenhouse gases and also promote development of renewable energy production. Reps. Henry Waxman and Ed Markey, the committee's Democratic leaders, said they will complete their work on the legislation before the Memorial Day recess. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was recently asked what his biggest concern is between now and the 2010 elections. He said, "Global warming. ... Health care is easier than this global warming stuff." Almost all Republicans are not in favor of the cap-and-trade bill.
Back in the House, about a dozen moderate Democrats are still questioning the size and scope of a 648-page draft of the Waxman-Markey legislation. Rep. Gene Green (D-Texas) told reporters earlier this week that he wanted Democratic committee leaders to schedule another hearing on the bill once they fill in a blank section from the draft that explains how to distribute emission credits among industries.
Rep. Charles Gonzales (D-Texas), another swing-vote lawmaker on the subcommittee, credited Waxman and Markey for not pressing forward on a subcommittee vote before the time is right.
"I think the chairman just has to work on something that has a chance of passing," Gonzales said. "I don't think you can afford a false start. You have to have some measure of success here, and I think a lot of us are willing to move in that direction, recognizing the need of the legislation. But there has to be some movement."
Another delay would not upset the Environmental Defense Fund. "It's more important to have a very strong, acceptable agreement," said Tony Kreindler, the group's spokesman. | 
