Senate Sets Climate Bill Procedures

By GREG HITT

WASHINGTON -- The Senate voted Wednesday against sheltering White House-backed climate-change legislation from procedural delays, signaling the initiative will require 60 votes for passage.
The Senate, on a 67-31 vote, decided against conferring so-called reconciliation protection on cap-and-trade legislation sought by President Barack Obama. Such protection ensures a bill can't be filibustered. Wednesday's vote effectively guarantees that any measure designed to combat climate change adopted this year will require at least 60 votes to break a filibuster.
Controlling greenhouse-gas emissions is a top priority for Mr. Obama and his allies in the Democratic congressional leadership. But Republicans and many rank-and-file Democrats have concerns about the costs that would be imposed on businesses and consumers.
The vote came amid debate on Mr. Obama's $3.6 trillion budget for fiscal 2010, which begins Oct. 1. In a flurry of action Wednesday, the Senate added $4 billion for development projects in Pakistan and Afghanistan, in hopes of bolstering U.S.-led efforts to stabilize the region.
The Senate also approved an amendment that would commit $550 million to new security measures along the border with Mexico, where gang violence is drawing growing concern in Washington. The Senate also added $1.9 billion to help low-income families pay heating bills.
Write to Greg Hitt at greg.hitt@wsj.com