Carbon Cap and Tax More Difficult After Vote

Washington, DC, April 3, 2009--In a vote late Wednesday, no fewer than 26 Democrats joined all 41 Republicans to insist that any new cap and tax on carbon energy would require at least 60 votes.

Tennessee Republican Lamar Alexander called it "the biggest vote of the year" so far. This means Majority Leader Harry Reid can't jam cap and tax through as part of this year's budget resolution with a bare majority of 50 senators.

Senators voting in favor of the 60-vote rule included liberals from Wisconsin, Michigan and West Virginia.