GO AHEAD WITHOUT US – Republicans made good on their threat to boycott the first committee debate on a new climate bill. The only Republican to show was Senator Voinovich of Ohio, who only dropped in for a few minutes to explain the GOP’s absence.

Voinovich says “it’s not a ruse” to block the legislation, Republicans just want more analysis on the cost of the legislation. Committee Chair, Senator Barbara Boxer insists the evaluation provided by the Environmental Protection Agency is more than enough.

The bill will call for major cuts in greenhouse gases, which, according to the GOP, will also spark major increases in energy costs for Americans. Democrats have the majority in the committee (12-7), and could advance the bill without the Republicans.