Sen. Lindsey Graham says it’s ‘impossible’ to pass climate bill now

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A key Republican negotiating with Democrats on a climate change bill says it’s “become impossible” to pass the legislation now.

Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina had already threatened to withhold support for the bill when congressional Democrats said they would take up a rewrite of immigration policy. Graham said Friday that given that issue and the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, it would be wise to stop and reassess the climate bill.

Graham noted that the legislation he was drafting with two other senators called for increased offshore drilling -- which is now opposed by some Democrats because of the widening oil spill. He said that there aren’t nearly the 60 votes needed to win passage of a climate change bill aimed at limiting carbon dioxide emissions.

-- Associated Press