AFP has obtained the final copy of a letter (pasted below) from 33 senators (including 8 Democrats) sent to Budget Chairman Kent Conrad and Ranking Member Judd Gregg urging them not to include cap and trade under budget reconciliation, which would allow it to pass with only 50 votes instead of 60 and avoid a full public debate.

March 12, 2009

Dear Chairman Conrad and Ranking Member Gregg:

We oppose using the budget reconciliation process to expedite passage of climate legislation.

Enactment of a cap-and-trade regime is likely to influence nearly every feature of the U.S. economy. Legislation so far‐reaching should be fully vetted and given appropriate time for debate, something the budget reconciliation process does not allow. Using this procedure would circumvent normal Senate practice and would be inconsistent with the Administration’s stated goals of bipartisanship, cooperation, and openness.

We commend you for holding the recent hearing, entitled “Procedures for Consideration of the Budget Resolution/Reconciliation,” which discussed important recommendations for the upcoming budget debate. Maintaining integrity in the budget process is critical to safeguarding the fiscal health of the United States in these challenging times.

Democrats - 8
Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.)
Evan Bayh (D-Ind.)
Robert Casey (D-Pa.)
Mary Landrieu (D-La.)
Carl Levin (D-Mich.)
Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.)
Ben Nelson (D-Neb.)
Mark Pryor (D-Ark.)

Republicans - 25
Mike Johanns (R-Neb.)
Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.)
John Barrasso (R-Wyo.)
Kit Bond (R-Mo.)
Sam Brownback (R-Kan.)
Jim Bunning (R-Ky.)
Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.)
Tom Coburn (R-Okla.)
Thad Cochran (R-Miss.)
Susan Collins (R-Maine)
Bob Corker (R-Tenn.)
Michael Crapo (R-Idaho)
John Ensign (R-Nev.)
Michael Enzi (R-Wyo.)
Charles Grassley (R-Iowa)
Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas)
Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.)
Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.)
John McCain (R-Ariz.)
Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska)
Jim Risch (R-Idaho)
Pat Roberts (R-Kan.)
David Vitter (R-La.)
George Voinovich (R-Ohio)
Roger Wicker (R-Miss.)

We commend these senators, especially Sens. Robert C. Byrd and Mike Johanns who organized it. While Johanns' office tells AFP the letter is now closed to additional signers, we encourage all senators not on the letter to publicly oppose abusing reconciliation for cap-and-trade and to communicate that opposition to Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad.