SENATOR COLLINS LEADS BIPARTISAN GROUP OF SENATORS TO URGE ADMINISTRATION’S SUPPORT FOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO REVERSE THREAT OF GLOBAL WARMING

            WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a bipartisan letter, 40 Senators today urged President Bush to support congressional efforts to reverse the threats posed by global warming, adding that “Leading U.S. scientists now warn that we must begin reducing global warming pollution from today’s levels within 10 years in order to avoid the worst effects of global warming.”               In the letter to the president, spearheaded by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Susan Collins (R-ME), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Lincoln Chafee (R-RI) and Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), the senators wrote: “Last year, the resolution passed by the Senate called on Congress to enact a national program of mandatory limits on global warming pollution that slows, stops, and reverses emissions.  We believe we should begin acting now to reduce emissions from current levels within 10 years. U.S. action on global warming is long overdue. As we consider legislation to address global warming, we urge you to provide leadership on this critical issue by supporting our effort.”   Senator Susan Collins said, “Scientists are finding clearer and clearer evidence that the climate is changing and that we are contributing to that change. Last year a majority of senators supported mandatory emission controls; I believe that the White House should do the same.”   Senator Dick Durbin said, “Global warming is a clear and present danger that is changing the world we live in.  It is not God’s random way of reminding us He is in charge.  Congress and the President must address this human-made crisis today because it is a threat not only to our generation, but generations to come.”   “The time for Congress to get serious about climate change is now.  We must take steps to reduce current harmful emissions levels to protect our planet for future generations, or risk the consequences that may result.  If this crisis is not addressed soon, the devastation caused by last year’s hurricane season may just be the beginning of more frequent and severe events,” said Senator Lincoln Chafee.   “In the year since the Senate passed its climate resolution, the United States has emitted another 6 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.  Unless we start to reverse this, it will be increasingly difficult to avoid causing permanent damage to our planet,” said Senator Jeff Bingaman.   In addition to Durbin, Collins, Nelson and Chafee, other senators signing the letter are Harry Reid (D-NV); John McCain (R-AZ); Richard Lugar (R-IN); Bob Menendez (D-NJ); John Kerry (D-MA); Jim Jeffords (I-VT); Tom Carper (D-DE); Joe Lieberman (D-CT); Maria Cantwell (D-WA); Dianne Feinstein (D-CA); Evan Bayh (D-IN); Barack Obama (D-IL); Russ Feingold (D-WI); Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ); Ken Salazar (D-CO); Paul Sarbanes (D-MD); Tom Harkin (D-IA); Joe Biden (D-DE); Barbara Boxer (D-CA); Patrick Leahy (D-VT); Barbara Mikulski (D-MD); Ted Kennedy (D-MA); Chuck Schumer (D-NY); Hillary Clinton (D-NY); Christopher Dodd (D-CT); Patty Murray (D-WA); and Ron Wyden (D-OR); James M. Inouye (D-HI); Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI); Herb Kohl (D-WI); Blanche L. Lincoln (D-AR); Jack Reed (D-RI); Tim Johnson (D-SD); Mark Dayton (D-MN); and Olympia Snowe (R-ME).               The full text of the letter is attached.