Climate change is a highly polarizing issue in Congress. The Inflation Reduction Act was hailed as “the most significant climate action in U.S. history,” providing nearly $400 billion for climate solutions. Congress passed the legislation in 2022 along strict party lines, with no Republicans voting in favor.
In 2023, Democrats voted for pro-environmental legislation more than 90% of the time. Republicans voted for pro-environmental legislation less than 5% of the time, according to voting data collected by the League of Conservation Voters.
And yet polls show support for climate policy in conservative districts.
According to data from the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, about two-thirds of Americans are “concerned” about climate change. Nearly 8 in 10 Americans support funding renewable energy research, and 3 in 4 support regulating carbon emissions. Two-thirds believe Congress should do more to address climate change.
Even in Jack County, Texas, where Donald Trump won 90% of the vote in 2020, 58% support regulating carbon emissions, the lowest percentage of any U.S. county.
Why then is there such a disconnect between the American public and Congress?
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