Schumer says no decisions made on climate floor strategy

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) has softened his Monday morning claim that climate change legislation will be offered as an amendment to a narrower energy bill on the Senate floor, stating through a spokesman that no decisions have been made.

Schumer's comment Monday morning had dismayed environmentalists, who fear that winning a vote on a global warming amendment is tougher than corralling 60 votes for a broad package that already includes greenhouse gas limits authored by Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.).

A spokesman for Schumer, however, said later in the day that the matter remains in flux.

“To the senator's knowledge, no decisions have been made yet on the floor strategy for legislation addressing the nation's urgent energy challenges, nor is it his decision to make,” said Schumer spokesman Brian Fallon.

“Senator Schumer speculated on one procedural option, but make no mistake: he believes climate change legislation is vital to our nation's energy security and looks forward to voting for it. He is working with his colleagues to get the strongest, most comprehensive bill possible and looks forward to discussions with the rest of the leadership later this week on how to best move forward," Fallon added.

Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) plans to meet with the chairmen of committees with jurisdiction over energy and climate on Thursday. Reid plans to bring an energy package to the floor in July.

Alexander Bolton contributed.