Last week, we told you that Senate Republicans on the Environment and Public Works Committee had planned on boycotting work sessions on the Senate’s climate change bill, in order to stall the bill from leaving the committee, and thus halting a vote on the Senate floor. Well, the first work sessions were scheduled for today, and Senator Barbara Boxer, Democratic leader of the committee, announced yesterday that the climate change bill would still be taken up today, with or without the Republicans on the committee.

Through some weird Senate rules, even though the boycott of work sessions should forestall the bill being considered, Senator Boxer can do an end-run around the boycott. Says the Washington Post:

Under committee rules and precedent, two members of the minority are customarily required in order to provide a quorum for a markup. But Boxer and her aides will rely on a provision in the rules that will allow the Democrats to proceed as long as a majority of committee members are present, and can report out the bill if a majority is present and votes in favor of the bill. Democrats outnumber Republicans on the panel by a ratio of 12 to 7.

Committee Republicans are claiming that the Environmental Protection Agency has yet to do a full enough economic impact statement on the climate change bill, and even sent Senator Boxer a letter yesterday (PDF) asking her to delay proceedings until the analysis can be made. But Senator Boxer rejected this.

“This bill has had comprehensive legislative hearings, with 54 expert witnesses in nine panels. Committee rules provide that the Chairman’s Mark be circulated three days before a business meeting, and we released it, along with the EPA’s economic analysis, ten days before the markup,” she said. “No climate bill has ever had this level of review and the Obama administration stands behind the EPA’s analysis.”

Senator Boxer also invited the committee Republicans back to the work sessions, but insisted that the sessions would continue with or without them. A spokesperson for the Republicans reiterated their opposition.

“The EPW Republicans would like a markup of the Kerry-Boxer bill, but are disappointed that the majority seems intent on moving forward with a markup before receiving a full analysis from the EPA,” he said. “Given the sheer size and significant economic impacts of the bill on the American people, we feel it is our duty to insist on having the analysis before members are to vote on the bill.”

Oh, political bickering. So fun. For those of us that would like to see a strong bill get passed in the Senate prior to the Copenhagen Conference, though Senator Boxer’s decision isn’t ideal, it at least moves legislation forward, and continues Congress on the path to a bill. It won’t be bipartisan, however, which could be a problem come voting time in the Senate whole. But that’s another post for another day.