Democrats made it over the first hurdle as they try to push major legislation on greenhouse gas emissions, what's referred to as a cap and trade bill. 

After three full days of debate, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved the over 900 page bill, on a vote of 33-25.

"Today the Committee took decisive and historic action to promote America's energy security and to create millions of clean energy jobs that will drive our economic recovery and long-term growth," said Chairman Rep. Henry Waxman of California.

"With this plan, we will shape a new energy destiny for our country, where we innovate more and pollute less," said Rep. Ed Markey of Massachusetts.

Let's just say that Republicans don't exactly agree with those comments.

"We should scrap this cap and tax legislation and work on energy solutions that truly sever our reliance on foreign sources of energy," said Rep. Phil Gingrey of Georgia. 

"House Democrats vote for 15% unemployment and $5/gallon gas," said a release from Rep. John Shadegg of Arizona.

Right now, I think the edge is still with Republicans and some Democratic critics on this energy bill. For example, almost every Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee is against the plan as it stands at this point.

I would bet Democrats would like to get a floor vote in June in the House - but that could slip - especially since so much other energy will have to be devoted to health care reform in coming weeks.

And the outlook remains bad in the Senate for this legislation.

But as with everything, there is always a first step, and Democrats have taken that on this controversial legislation.

We'll see if they get any further down the road.