Graham: 'Impossible' to pass climate bill

WASHINGTON - Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Friday that it has become "impossible" to pass climate and energy legislation at the moment, a declaration that likely dooms the bill's chance of passage this year.

Graham had spent months trying to craft a bipartisan compromise on the issue with Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), but he suggested late last month that he was unwilling to continue after Senate Democratic leaders said they hoped to push through immigration legislation this year.

His new statement is more definitive and suggests that the one Republican who could serve as a bridge to the GOP on a climate bill will abandon the effort altogether.

The Democrats' immigration push and the Gulf of Mexico oil spill have put a halt to any immediate expansion of offshore oil drilling, Graham said, and hampered any chance of reaching a bipartisan deal.

"When it comes to our nation's policy on energy independence and pollution control, I don't believe any American finds the status quo acceptable," Graham said in a statement, adding, "I believe there could be more than 60 votes for this bipartisan concept in the future. But there are not nearly 60 votes today, and I do not see them materializing until we deal with the uncertainty of the immigration debate and the consequences of the oil spill."

Given that many senators do not want the Environmental Protection Agency to proceed with regulating greenhouse gases, Graham said, "we should move forward in a reasoned, thoughtful manner. . . . Regrettably, in my view, this has become impossible in the current environment."

"Some believe the oil spill has enhanced the chances energy legislation will succeed. I do not share their view," he added. "When it comes to getting 60 votes for legislation that includes additional oil and gas drilling with revenue sharing, the climb has gotten steeper because of the oil spill."

Despite Graham's statement, Kerry and Lieberman said Thursday that they would introduce the climate and energy proposal next week.

"We are more encouraged today that we can secure the necessary votes to pass this legislation this year," the senators said in a joint statement.