US climate action may slow after mixed midterm results

(China Dialogue, 6 Dec 2022) With Congress no longer under Democrat control, there’s little chance of any major new climate legislation in the next two years.

US President Joe Biden woke to unexpectedly good news on 9 November. The red wave many were expecting, with Republicans taking control of huge swathes of the US government, never broke onshore. 

The country, and Congress, are split again between the Democrats, who see climate change as a core issue, and the Republicans, who continue to reject the science, the severity of the problem, or the urgent need to resolve it. 

With both chambers on a knife edge, governing will be a challenge. Democrats have maintained control of the Senate and may expand their margin by one seat, depending on the result of this week’s Georgia run-off. Meanwhile, Republicans have taken control of the House of Representatives, but their victory was smaller than expected – a majority of only eight or nine seats.

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China Dialogue, 6 Dec 2022: US climate action may slow after mixed midterm results