What actions has Congress taken to address climate change in the United States?
• As the scientific evidence of climate change has mounted, so has Congressional activity. The number of introduced climate change-related bills increased from seven in the 105th Congress (1997 – 1998) to 25 in the 106th Congress (1999 – 2000), and to more than 50 in the 107th Congress (2001 – 2002). In addition, the climate change issue was raised dozens of times during debate in the 107th Congress and was discussed in over 30 congressional hearings. Climate change measures are increasingly being offered by members of both the Democratic and Republican Parties. In January 2003 the bipartisan team of Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) introduced legislation that would establish an economy-wide GHG cap-and-trade program (Climate Stewardship Act of 2003, S. 139, 108th Cong.). The growing interest suggests that a bipartisan consensus could develop in the near term around certain legislative proposals, including measures to require the reporting and disclosure of GHG e
