Senate debate on sweeping global warming legislation is officially underway. California's Barbara Boxer is leading the debate for the bill's supporters in arguments that are expected to take at least the rest of this week. From Washington, Todd Zwillich has more.
Boxer has the support of several Republicans. But even backers acknowledge the chances of the passing the Senate are slim. Monday Boxer lashed out at Republicans who she says want keep the status quo despite rising carbon dioxide levels and climate change.
Boxer: "You'll hear it all on this floor. But I'll remind you there are people who said the world is flat, even when we knew it wasn't. There are people who said cigarettes didn’t cause cancer, even when we knew it did. There are still people who say HIV doesn't cause AIDS, they're wrong. And I could go on."
Republicans are warning the bill will raise energy costs and taxes and that it puts developing countries like China and India at an advantage. The White House on Monday threatened to veto the bill.
