TheHill.com - Sparring over Waxman's climate proposal

Out of the gate, Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) lambasted the idea of cap-and-trade -- mockingly calling it ‘cap-and-tax’ -- as a failed policy experiment that's not worth repeating.

“All one has to do is examine the results of the European Union's cap-and-tax scheme -- it was a failure. CO2 emissions in the U.S. fell by 1.8 percent in 2006, compared to a 0.3 percent increase in emissions in the EU, according to EIA," Upton said. "Both economies grew at a near-identical pace in 2006, about 3 percent for the year. Given the economic conditions we're facing today, we should not try to replicate the EU's failed experiment. Not to mention that emissions increased in the EU."
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It was evident from the sharp rhetoric being traded at Wednesday’s hearing that this bill faces a tough road ahead. Evidence of the wide gap that exists on even the most basic facts was seen in Rep. Joe Barton's (R-Texas) claim that he denies that climate change is man-made.
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During one of the day’s most contentious exchanges, Greg Walden (R-Ore.), who in the windup to his question stressed the magnitude of the legislation before the committee, asked each of the panelists, “Have you read [the bill] in its entirety?” Chu and Jackson said they had not, while LaHood forcefully pushed back, attempting not to be tarred by the insinuation accompanying Walden’s question.