Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., told reporters today he thinks "it's great" that Senate Environment and Public Works ranking member James Inhofe, R-Okla., and other GOP lawmakers skeptical of climate change are going to Copenhagen next week. "It could be good for Senator Inhofe to be exposed to the consensus that the world has reached on this issue," said Markey, chairman of the Select Committee for Energy Independence and Global Warming and co-sponsor of the House climate bill.

Markey said that he and other members are planning on attending the conference next week, but "it's contingent upon the floor schedule." Asked whether he plans to stay for President Obama's speech, the congressman replied that he expects "to be there to be supportive of the president."

Aiming to dispel charges from some Republicans that they're being excluded from the talks, Markey said there is "broad bipartisan participation" and that he knows "a number of Republicans who are going on our committee and others." He said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., whose office is charged with organizing the trip, will make an announcement at a later date about who exactly is going.

Cross-posted from our Copenhagen Insider blog.

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