Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) chastised his fellow Republicans Wednesday for refusing to deal with climate change and said they needed to see green legislation as something that could help business.

"I am no scientist, but I've ... seen the effects of a warming planet," he said in a press conference. "The green economy is coming. We can either follow or lead. And those countries who follow will pay a price. Those nations who lead in creating the new green economy for the world will make money."

"If you can't participate in solving a hard problem, why are you up here?" he asked.

Watch, via ThinkProgress :

Of course, the climate bill compromise Graham is working on with Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) is weaker than the current legislation . Republicans have been boycotting the Environment and Public Works Committee hearings, blocking action by exploiting a committee rule that at least two members of the minority have to be present before opening markup.

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