Republicans Block Climate Bill

Senate Republicans blocked a global warming bill that would have required major reductions in greenhouse gases, pushing debate over a major environmental concern to next year for a new U.S. Congress and president. Democratic leaders fell a dozen votes short of getting the 60 needed to end a Republican delaying tactic on the measure and bring the bill up for a vote, prompting Majority Leader Harry Reid to withdraw the legislation from consideration. The Senate debate focused on bitter disagreement over the expected economic costs of putting a price on carbon dioxide, the leading greenhouse gas that comes from burning fossil fuels. Opponents said it would lead to higher energy costs.