Global Warming Debate Hits Capitol Hill

July 20, 2006 — -- Armed with diagrams and charts that would make Al Gore proud, scientists and Bush administration officials came to Capitol Hill to brief Congress on global warming.

Also today, one senator announced legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050.

Some say the renewed focus in Washington is a sign that lawmakers are paying closer attention to an issue they may have to deal with sooner rather than later. But the day was not without controversy.

All of the witnesses testifying today in front of the House Committee on Government Reform agreed on several basic points: global warming is real, humans are causing it and Congress should act to address it. But there were disagreements over exactly what should be done and how fast.

Jim Connaughton, the president's policy advisor on global warming, said that President Bush thinks the issue is serious and that "humans are a big part of the problem." He said the next step is to find "sensible" ways to deal with it.

Connaughton touted the administration's list of more than 60 federal programs to address greenhouse gas emissions.

"By the end of the year, the administration will have devoted over $29 billion in taxpayer resources -- more than any other nation -- to climate science technology," Connaughton said.

"These and many other efforts are working," he said. "We are on track to meeting the president's goal."

His remarks drew immediate criticism from Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., the ranking member on the committee.

"All the things you enthusiastically reported to us aim to get you to the president's global warming goal," Waxman said. "But that goal actually allows U.S. emissions of global warming pollution to rise 14 percent by 2012. Your plan is to let emissions to go up a lot. Are you trying to tell us that allowing emissions to rise is prompt action?"

Connaughton responded: "It's significantly better than the alternative path we are on."

But Waxman continued to downplay the administration's plan.