WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act died in the U.S. Senate last week after Democrats failed to muster enough votes to bring it to a final vote.

The bill, which was the most expansive climate change-related bill to ever make it to the Senate floor, received 48 votes, 12 votes shy of the 60 votes needed to end a Republican filibuster. Six senators who were absent from the votes signaled their support.

The bill would have established a carbon emissions cap-and-trade system aimed at curbing greenhouse gases by about two-thirds by 2050. The bill faced stiff opposition from President George Bush, who promised to veto the bill in its current form. The president and many Republicans opposed the bill because they believe it would take too harsh of a toll on the economy at a time of record energy prices.

Proponents, however, see the event as a precursor to successful legislation next year when the bill will find a more receptive White House, and possibly a friendlier Senate. Presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama have expressed support of a cap-and-trade system and mandatory emissions cuts, although McCain said recently any climate legislation must significantly bolster the nuclear energy sector.