(thehill) Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said Thursday that strong global warming legislation lacks 60 votes and claimed Republicans are paying attention to conservative media pundits rather than climate science.

"It is absolutely incredible and very, very sad — and I say this not from a political point of view — that a lot of very bright Republicans no longer pay attention to science and are much more interested in the rhetoric of Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck," he said.

Sanders spoke with reporters in the Capitol on his way to a meeting of the Senate Democratic caucus on energy and climate.

The meeting comes as Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is trying to craft an energy package to be brought to the floor this summer.

 Sanders said that with "virtually" no Republican support, every Democrat would have to support a climate plan.

"Do I think we have 60 votes to come up with strong global warming legislation? No," Sanders said. "I think it is a tragedy, but that's the way it is."

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