House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asked Walt Minnick what it would take to get him to vote for a climate bill that would cap greenhouse gas emissions and allow industries to trade pollution credits. The vote was expected to be close and Pelosi was willing to make sure Minnick, the congressman from Idaho's First District, got what he wanted for his constituents or state businesses.
The bill passed the House June 26, 219-212, and Minnick voted no. His opposition could be considered a savvy political vote in his conservative district, where many voters don't agree with the scientific understanding of how fossil fuel burning is changing the world's climate.
But as the lone Democrat, Minnick's vote threatens to undercut the support of a major part of his core: environmentalists. He also will need the support of other House Democrats and President Barack Obama for Idaho.
Read the full story at idahostatesman.com.