Mark Warner, Tim Kaine vote against Senate Republican measure to reverse Clean Power Plan

Last night, the U.S. Senate voted to pass two resolutions to reverse the Clean Power Plan, the first-ever federal limits on carbon pollution from power plants and the centerpiece of President Obama’s plan to tackle climate change.

The president has promised to veto the resolution by Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R- W.Va.), which blocks the limits on existing plants that are projected to save thousands of lives and hundreds of thousands of asthma attacks. The Senate also voted to pass a measure to block rules on new power plants.

The measures did not pass with enough votes to override a presidential veto.

Virginia U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine voted against the Capito resolution, earning the praise of Environment Virginia State Director Sarah Bucci.

“Last night, Virginia Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine voted for clean air, clean energy and a brighter economic future,” Bucci said. “We need politicians to propel us forward on the course charted by the Clean Power Plan. We applaud Senators Warner and Kaine for continuing to stand up for our kids’ health and planet’s future.”

Anna Aurilio, Global Warming Solutions director for Environment America, issued a statement on the Senate vote.

“The American people support climate action and cleaner air, and that’s why they support carbon pollution limits on power plants by wide margins. By voting to reverse the Clean Power Plan, the Senate is siding with big polluters and climate deniers instead of our kids’ health and a safer climate.

“The Clean Power Plan is the biggest action the U.S. has ever taken on climate, and it is already helping us lead the world toward a strong international agreement to slash greenhouse gas emissions. Rather than take us backwards, we need politicians to propel us forward on the course charted by the Clean Power Plan, one which ends with deep cuts in pollution and 100 percent clean, renewable energy.”

Full roll call for votes on the two resolutions regarding the EPA’s finalized limits on carbon pollution from new and existing power plants, voted on last night, can be found here: S.J. Res 23 & S.J. Res 24.