This was a vote on an amendment by Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) stating that “Congress accepts the scientific findings of the Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] that climate change is occurring, is caused largely by human activities, and poses significant risks for public health and welfare.” This amendment was offered to legislation prohibiting the EPA from regulating greenhouse gas emissions at the federal level.

Waxman urged support for his amendment: “The U.S. Congress has entered the intellectual wilderness. This amendment is a step out of that wilderness. It says we accept the scientific findings of EPA--and the best scientists in our country and around the world--that climate change is a serious threat to our health and welfare. And it recognizes that while we have the power to change the laws of our nation, we cannot rewrite the laws of nature. It may be difficult for us to agree on a solution to climate change, but at least we should be able to agree that it is a real problem and one we need to address.”

Rep. Robert Dold (R-IL) opposed the amendment: “This amendment would have Congress adopt intentionally vague language on human involvement and the risks associated with climate change without defining the size and scope of human behavior and the risk to the environment…. I believe that we must reduce our dependence on foreign oil and expand research and development of clean energy sources and ensure that future generations of Americans have a clean and healthy environment. But I do not believe in the notion that the Waxman amendment puts forward that states that Congress shall only accept the scientific findings of the EPA. We should encourage open, transparent scientific studies, not limit our scientific findings to one government agency.”

The House rejected this amendment by a vote of 184-240. Voting “yea” were 183 Democrats and 1 Republican. 237 Republicans and 3 Democrats voted “nay.” As a result, the House rejected an amendment stating that “Congress accepts the scientific findings of the Environmental Protection Agency that climate change is occurring, is caused largely by human activities, and poses significant risks for public health and welfare.”