Green New Deal: Senate defeats proposal as Democrats unite in protest

Non-binding proposal spearheaded by progressives aims to reduce greenhouse gases and lessen social inequity

The US Senate defeated a motion to take up the Green New Deal, the non-binding proposal spearheaded by progressive Democratic lawmakers to radically reduce greenhouse gases and try to lessen social inequity.

Republican leaders in the Senate had scheduled Tuesday's vote in an effort to turn the proposal into a wedge issue in the 2020 elections, hoping to force Democrats on the record about their support - or opposition - for a proposal that is popular among the Democratic base but has been criticized by many conservatives.