House Debating Cap and Trade
By JOSELYN KING
Political Writer
WHEELING -- U.S. Reps. Charles Wilson and Zack Space, both D-Ohio, voted in favor today on a measure to bring "cap and trade" legislation up for vote in the House.
U.S. Rep. Alan Mollohan, D-W.Va., failed to vote on the resolution to begin debate on the bill. U.S. Reps. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., both voted against the measure.
The House is at present continuing with debate on the bill, and could take a final vote on "cap and trade" before it adjourns today for the 4th of July recess.
The motion to have a vote passed by a vote of 217 to 205, with 11 House members not casting votes, for a total of 433 House members. There currently are two vacant seats in the 435-member House.
Of the 11 non-voting members, eight are Democrats and three are Republican.
No Republicans voted in favor of a vote on "cap and trade."
There were also 30 Democrats who voted against the White House-backed legislation.
Wilson indicated this week he would vote no on cap and trade legislation, while Space remains uncommitted.
"He is not changing his position," said Hillary Wicai-Viers, communications director for Wilson. "He voted to bring the bill to the floor for three hours of debate and a final vote.
"When the final vote is taken he will be voting no. He's not opposed to a vote being taken or opposed to open debate on the bill. He just opposes the bill in its current form."