Bipartisan agriculture climate bill clears Senate

The Senate on Thursday passed bipartisan legislation aimed at granting farms access to carbon offset markets by a 92-8 vote.

The Growing Climate Solutions Act, introduced by Sens. Mike BraunMichael BraunSenate Republicans call on Biden to lift vaccine mandate for truckers crossing Canadian border Senate votes to nix Biden's vaccine mandate for businesses Senate poised to pass resolution to nullify Biden vaccine mandate MORE (R-Ind.) and Debbie StabenowDeborah (Debbie) Ann StabenowMichigan Republican John James 'strongly considering' House run Updated reconciliation text includes electric vehicle tax credit opposed by Manchin Stabenow calls for expansion of school mental health services MORE (D-Mich.), next heads to the House. The measure would establish a Department of Agriculture certification process through which producers can generate and sell carbon credits.

The "no" votes were from a combination of the right wing of the Republican caucus and the left wing of the Democratic caucus: Sens. Cory BookerCory BookerRep. Bobby Rush tests positive in breakthrough case VP dilemma: The establishment or the base? 10 Democrats who could run in 2024 if Biden doesn't MORE (D-N.J.), Josh HawleyJoshua (Josh) David HawleyDemocrats threaten to play hardball over Cruz's blockade Overnight Energy & Environment — Top land management staffers returning to DC Schumer threatens weekend votes to break GOP blockade of Biden nominees MORE (R-Mo.), Mike LeeMichael (Mike) Shumway LeeJuan Williams: The GOP is an anti-America party Manchin faces pressure from Gillibrand, other colleagues on paid family leave Key House chairman wants to lead official trip to Taiwan in January MORE (R-Utah), James InhofeJames (Jim) Mountain InhofePelosi faces pushback over stock trade defense Overnight Defense & National Security — Senate looks to break defense bill stalemate Senate GOP moving toward deal to break defense bill stalemate MORE (R-Okla.), Ed MarkeyEd MarkeyWarren, Democrats ask federal government to resume tracking breakthrough cases Senate confirms Rahm Emanuel to be ambassador to Japan Manchin, Sanders will oppose Biden FDA nominee Califf MORE (D-Mass.), Jeff MerkleyJeff MerkleyAllies are split on Biden's diplomatic boycott of Beijing Olympics Biden signs bill punishing China for Uyghur abuses Senate confirms Rahm Emanuel to be ambassador to Japan MORE (D-Ore.), Bernie SandersBernie SandersNarrow path forward for Build Back Better Photos of the Year 10 Democrats who could run in 2024 if Biden doesn't MORE (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenRep. Bobby Rush tests positive in breakthrough case The 10 races that will decide the Senate majority Cardin on future of Biden spending bill: 'A lot of us are gonna be disappointed' MORE (D-Mass.).

Lee also proposed an amendment to the bill, which would remove the federal certification program for agriculture advisers and credit verifiers from the measure. Lee’s amendment was rejected 89-11.

“Farmers and foresters are already leading the way ... through their many conservation efforts. They work to reduce their impact every day through conservation practices that cut down on emissions and store carbon in their soil and trees,” Stabenow said on the Senate floor Thursday. “According to the National Academies, scaling up these climate-smart agriculture and forestry practices in the U.S. could offset the annual emissions of nearly 110 million cars. The Growing Climate Solution is a key piece of the enormous potential that land-based solutions have to help solve this crisis.”

“Farmers have always led the way on protecting our environment, and the Growing Climate Solutions Act helps them get paid for their sustainable practices through voluntary carbon credit markets,” Braun said in a statement. “Hoosiers and Americans want real-world solutions, and Growing Climate Solutions is a bipartisan, common-sense, pro-jobs win that farmers, industry leaders, and conservationists can all support — all without growing our government or our deficit.”

Despite the bill’s bipartisan passage and the support of dozens of agricultural and environmental groups, carbon offsets are a controversial concept among conservationists. Opponents of the practice have argued it punts on emission reductions rather than actively cutting them.