The bill passed the US House of Represntatives by a very narrow margin, garnering 219 votes, one more than was necessary for the legislation to pass.

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson, D-Minn, brokered a deal to make some significant changes to agricultural provisions of the bill, but is looking to the Senate to further protect agriculture.

Peterson said that if the bill had been ready to become law he would have voted "no" and he expects a different looking bill when the House and Senate conference to work out differences.

"It's still got problems," Peterson said.

"You know, I've been talking to a number of the Senators from rural states, and there is no question in my mind that some of the problems will be addressed by the Senate.

"I've told my leadership that if this bill does not meet my test for agriculture and rural America at the end of the day I'm going to vote against it."

Agricultural groups are also hoping for action in the Senate that will lessen the impact of the legislation on agriculture.

National Corn Growers Association CEO Rick Tolman says they are currently studying the implications and impact the bill would have on everything from electricity rates to fuel prices, and equipment dealers ability to compete to the fertilizer industry.

"We certainly support the concept of becoming more environmentally friendly and addressing greenhouse gases if science says that's what we need to do," Tolman said.

"But we need to make sure it's not at too high a cost."

Boxer has said she intends to mark up legislation modeled on the House bill in the committee before the August recess.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev, has given other committees with jurisdiction, including agriculture, a Sept 18 deadline to complete their own markups.