WASHINGTON, DC (June 4, 2008) – Today Senate Republicans repeatedly refused to waive a full reading of the Climate Security Act (S.3036, Boxer-Lieberman-Warner substitute), forcing the clerk to begin reading the entire bill out loud.

Jeremy Symons, executive director of the National Wildlife Federation’s global warming campaign, said today:

“Senate Republicans are literally throwing the book at this bill to help oil companies block any action on global warming and a clean energy future. By stalling this bill, Senate Republicans can only stall America's economy. We need to jumpstart our economy with action now to invest in new technology and create clean energy jobs.

“The choice is clear - recharge the economy or let it sit in neutral. Move forward with legislation that addresses an enormous problem while transforming our energy future or stick your head in the sand and hide behind Big Oil propaganda.

“America is ready for a new energy future. If opponents succeed in blocking action on climate change, they will block America's path to a new and stronger economy. The Climate Security Act deserves real debate, not Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s procedural trickery and delay tactics.”

To arrange an interview with Jeremy Symons, contact Miles Grant at 703-854-9599 or grantm@nwf.org.

The National Wildlife Federation is the nation’s largest conservation organization inspiring Americans to protect wildlife for our children’s future.