unlimited speaking time , but when the Boehner 's speech went more than 2 1/2 hours , Democrats objected . `` Is this an attempt to try to get some people to leave on a close vote ? '' asked Rep Henry Waxman , D-California , the bill 's lead sponsor . Also Friday , the House of Representatives phone switchboard went down as conservative radio hosts and congressmen made direct pleas for voters to dial the Capitol to voice their opposition to the bill . `` Phone traffic has increased to a level where some callers are receiving an ` all circuits are busy now , please try back again later ' message , '' communications director Jeff Ventura said via e-mail . Congressional sources said Democrats were hoping their constituents would also attempt to match phone calls opposed to the bill with phone calls for the bill . `` Call your congressman , right now ! '' urged Rep. Mike Pence , R-Indiana , from the House floor as the chamber seemed near a vote . Ventura said the bill was likely behind the phone-line crash . `` The suspected cause ... is believed to be interest and
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A sharply divided House of Representatives narrowly passed a White House-backed climate change bill Friday after hours of cajoling and arm-twisting by Democratic leaders among members worried about the legislation 's potential economic and political fallout . The House of Representatives passes an energy bill that includes a `` cap-and-trade '' program on emissions . The bill passed 219-212 , with virtually no Republican support . The bill would reduce nationwide greenhouse gas emissions 17 percent by 2020 and 83 percent by 2050 through a so-called `` cap-and-trade '' program under which companies would buy and sell emissions credits . Among other things , the bill would also require utilities to generate an increasing amount of power from renewable sources . Even before daybreak Friday , consternation over the bill brewed anew . The Democrats released a 301-page amendment to the bill at 3:09 a.m. Friday , drawing protest from Republican Leader John Boehner , R-Ohio . `` This is the biggest job-killing bill that has ever been on the floor of the House of Representatives . Right here . This bill , '' Boehner said . The leaders of the House are customarily granted