Joel Stronberg

The 119th Congress has opened for business. Once President-elect Trump is sworn into office on January 20th, the Republicans will control both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue. Whether they have control over themselves is another matter.

When I last wrote that Washington in transition was a chaotic—even surreal—political environment, I had no idea just how weird things would get.

It’s chaotic—perhaps surreal is a better word—here in Washington. In this third essay on Trump 2.0 and climate politics, I’ll be touching on the continuing transition activities of the Trump administration, both parties in Congress, and efforts by the Biden administration to Trump-proof his climate legacy.

Capitol Hill Republicans and the Trump administration are under great pressure to produce significant, observable progress on the incoming president’s America First agenda. Although Trump will be free to issue executive orders, much of the agenda depends upon congressional action.

As Roger Pielke, Jr. has noted, “there’s no such thing as a climate voter.” So without the support of enough Republicans, Earth’s environment will continue to be the victim of the culture wars.

Until the messaging and approach of clean energy and environmental communities change, US climate policy will remain a largely UNACTED UPON voter priority.