In the U.S. Congress

The Role of the U.S. Congress in Addressing Climate Change

The U.S. Congress plays a key role in determining how the United States responds to the challenge of global climate change.  Legislation, enacted by Congress, will be necessary to reduce U.S. emissions of greenhouse gases substantially.  International climate change agreements must be ratified by the U.S. Senate for the United States to be a party, giving the Senate major influence over the U.S. negotiating position.  The budgets of all federal agencies, which include funding for programs to curb U.S. emissions, are established in the agencies’ annual spending (or “appropriations”) bills, enacted by Congress.  Congress conducts hearings that focus attention on global climate change and shape the national debate over how best to address it.  With climate change, as with other issues, congressional action can differ significantly from that proffered by the U.S. President. 

Visit our What's Being Done in the Congress pages to stay up to date on legislation and Congressional activity.