Senators may block Obama on emissions

Michigan's senators, reliable allies of President Barack Obama, are emerging as potential obstacles to one of his top budget priorities.

Both have raised major questions about a cap-and-trade system to limit carbon emissions. Last week, Sen. Carl Levin, D-Detroit, joined a handful of more moderate Senate Democrats in opposing a procedural move that could make it easier for such a system to become law.

And Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Lansing criticized the administration for tying new money for energy research -- some of which could help the auto industry -- to passage of a cap-and-trade plan, according to a March 19 report in The Detroit News.

Read a blog on Cap and Trade.