The American Clean Energy and Security Act has passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 219 to 212, with 44 Democrats voting against the bill and eight Republicans voting in favor.

Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) spent an hour attempting to force his colleagues to read the 300 page amendment to the bill offered at 3 a.m. Friday morning. Republicans offered a simpler substitute to the massive piece of legislation, but it was defeated.

Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen issued a statement praising the House for “taking the first important step toward a national policy to reduce carbon emissions.”

Dinneen also noted that the bill was improved by a compromise worked out this week between House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson and House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman regarding international indirect land use change and its application in penalizing ethanol production in the U.S. Dinneen says the compromise “will allow for the continued growth of America’s biofuels industry and achieve our environmental and energy goals.”

The Senate is now expected to come up with its version of a climate change bill, but some say that may not happen this year.