Energetic Debate

" Here in Washington the house is preparing to vote on an energy and climate bill that has the potential to affect almost every American. It calls for major changes in the way most of us live and consumer energy. And it has sparked fierce debate in congress let's get a live update now from White House correspondent Mike Emanuel who is following this story tonight from Capitol Hill good evening my."

" Well good evening Brett there are some signs we may be here awhile right now house minority leader John Boehner is going through. The 300 plus page amendment that he says was dumped on this bill just after 3 AM. This is a controversial bill a big vote in the house this year some -- liberals say bill does not go far enough. Republicans argue it would be bad for the country."

" In the midst of a severe recession. Why would we even contemplate. A plan. That amounts to -- growth killing millstone around the neck of small businesses and all American consumers have. Passionate arguments on the house floor today by Republicans who called cap and trade a massive national energy tax a job killer and argued you'll put the biggest burden on people in rural areas and the poor. And Democrats who said it may not be a perfect bill. But it is time to start ending the addiction to foreign oil and helping the US become self sufficient."

" What this is about in the final analysis. It's about this great country of -- and making a stand. What we believe that standing up for America dominates its superiority."

" Earlier alongside German Chancellor Angela Merkel President Obama asserted the United States needs to make up for lost time on climate change I'm the first one to acknowledge. That the United States over the last soldier has not been. Where we need to beef. The president says that this legislation passes the US could join with allies in Copenhagen later this year working on a global version of cap and trade -- if we can get that framework in place I'm confident. The United States could be an important partner. In this process the chancellor's tour of Washington also included a visit with speaker Nancy Pelosi. Who has been pushing for a vote in the house on cap and trade before July 4 recess. Even though it's expected to be close Republicans argue late in the day they are being asked to vote on the bill when there wasn't an official copy on the house floor it. Talk me into court is it necessary that the official copy via the desk. In order for final passage to occur."

" These -- a copy is always at the desk during consideration them."

" Then where is it madam speaker. At the desk is it now after this."

" A little bit of drama late in the day Rhode Island congressman Patrick Kennedy has been in rehabilitation. For several weeks. We'll Kennedy showed up on how the house floor late in the day. And could. Cast a deciding vote for the Democrats. Isn't expected to be close right. Yet they've been counting votes all day real naral now -- for the Democrats. You know we talked about house minority leader reading this 300 page amendment to mean that could take a long time we're talking -- vote past midnight possibly. Well you're exactly right because the house minority leader basically has unlimited access to time as a courtesy. He can basically go on as long as he wants there's a bit of a challenge earlier by congressman Henry Waxman. But congressman Boehner continues then we could be here a long time okay we'll monitor my mental on the hill thanks."