GOP hopefuls to watch on climate change votes

The Senate is set to vote on a pair of Democratic amendments seeking to put Republicans on record about whether climate change is “real and not a hoax,” as one states.

{mosads}The move is aimed at pressuring Republicans into going on record about whether global warming is occurring and is being caused by humans. The amendments are tied to a bill to force construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline. The issue will likely come up on the campaign trail for many next year, both for the presidential contenders and senators facing tough reelection fights.

Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) will all vote on the amendments. Rubio’s votes could be especially interesting to watch. He’s previously said he doesn’t believe human activity is causing climate change. If he votes that way it could become an issue if he decides to run for reelection rather than for the White House.

Other Republican senators to watch include Rob Portman (Ohio), Pat Toomey (Pa.), Ron Johnson (Wis.), Kelly Ayotte (N.H.) and Richard Burr (N.C.), all of whom are facing reelection in purple or blue states next year.

Sens. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) could also be interesting to watch. Kirk previously voted for cap-and-trade legislation while he was in the House and is likely to face a tough reelection fight next year, while Murkowski has expressed concerns about climate change in the past and could be facing a primary fight.

Graham and McCain have both previously said they believe climate change is caused by man. McCain is signaling he’ll run for reelection next year, while Graham has discussed a potential presidential run, though many doubt he’ll take the plunge.

Democrats to watch include Sens. Joe Manchin (W.Va.) and Joe Donnelly (Ind.). Both red-state Democrats back Keystone and could have tough reelections in 2018, and Manchin has indicated he may leave the Senate earlier than that to run for governor. Manchin has said many times that humans contribute to climate change. Donnelly, an opponent to federal regulations of the environment, has said that he believes humans contribute to climate change.