Date Time
Share
Biden’s Senate majority doesn’t just supercharge US climate action, it blazes a trail for Australia
Last week, somewhat overshadowed by the events in Washington, the Democrats took control of the US Senate. The Democrats now hold a small majority in both the House and the Senate until 2022, giving President-elect Joe Biden a better chance of getting climate actions through Congress.
Biden’s key nominees to environment and climate positions in his administration must be approved by the Senate, and the Democrat majority provides a clearer path for this.
Now we have a better picture of the climate-engaged Biden administration, the question for Australia is how the changes will affect our domestic climate politics.
In the United States government, the Cabinet is the president’s advisory body that includes the Vice President and the heads of all 15 executive departments. These heads take the title of Secretary, except for the head of the Justice Department, who assumes the title of Attorney General. The Cabinet also includes the White House Chief of Staff and the heads of other government agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, and others.
President-elect Joe Biden will be sworn in as the 46th president of the United States on Wednesday. In preparation for his presidency, Biden has already announced his selections for various administration positions, pending Senate confirmation.
Earlier this month, somewhat overshadowed by the events in Washington, the Democrats took control of the US Senate. The Democrats now hold a small majority in both the House and the Senate until 2022, giving President-elect Joe Biden a better chance of getting climate actions through Congress.
Biden’s key nominees to environment and climate positions in his administration must be approved by the Senate, and the Democrat majority provides a clearer path for this.
Now we have a better picture of the climate-engaged Biden administration, the question for Australia is how the changes will affect our domestic climate politics.
An aggressive US climate policy rollout could provide a much needed dose of reality to the climate discourse in Canberra. It may also prompt Australia’s major parties to acknowledge the inevitability of a transition to a zero carbon economy.