Discuss as:

In a squeaker, House passes energy bill

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro and Mark Murray
The House passed the conentious energy/climate change bill, formally called the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, by a razor-thin 219-212 margin.

Video: President Obama explains that the energy legislation passed by the House of Representatives will help America create jobs, ensure clean air, and move toward energy independence.

The vote came right down to the wire and its outlook was uncertain in the hours leading up to the floor vote. Democrats needed 218 votes to pass the bill, so this appears to be a bit of protecting particularly vulnerable Democrats -- as the House passed it with just enough.

Now, the heavy lifting moves to the Senate. And it's not going to be easy. It will likely be reworked before it eventually comes to a vote after the July 4th recess in the other chamber.