Many parts of federal policy change back and forth over time. Taxes go up and down, as does spending on anti-poverty programs and the military. Even if a set of policies doesn’t pass in his year, they may pass in the year ahead, and the US’ long-term trajectory probably won’t be affected as much.
Climate policy is different.
The world is already warming to dangerous levels. Heatwaves, wildfires, droughts and severe storms are becoming more common. The Arctic is melting and sea levels are rising. Scientists warn that the damage could be devastating if countries don’t act quickly to slow greenhouse gas emissions and thus global warming.
The United States is playing a uniquely important role in the fight against climate change. It has emitted far more greenhouse gases than any other country in its history and remains a major emitter today. In recent years, the United States has made significantly less effort to reduce emissions than Europe. Also, the US is still the most powerful country in the world and can influence the climate policies of China, India and others.
Until yesterday, it seemed as if Democrats were wasting a huge opportunity to fight climate change. Democrats control both Congress and the president but have been unable to agree on a set of climate policies to accelerate clean energy use and reduce emissions. and the Senate is so tightly divided that the Democrats cannot afford to lose a single vote.
But yesterday, Manchin seems to have changed his mind. He announced that he had agreed to include hundreds of billions of dollars in climate and energy programs in legislation that would lower prescription drug prices, raise taxes on the wealthy and reduce the federal deficit.
If Manchin and other Democrats continue to unite, it will be a very big deal. It’s an opportunity to make a breakthrough,” he said.
This is especially important because Republicans in Congress are almost uniformly opposed to policies that slow climate change (as opposed to conservatives in many other countries). And it remains unclear whether Democrats will regain control of both Congress and the White House anytime soon. , may not pass for years.
After the recent row among Democrats, I know many people are skeptical that we actually have a deal until Congress passes the bill. It is fulfilled. The deal announced last night between Manchin and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer is unlike a full bill that could be passed by both the Senate and the House.
But I would like to say: If the tentative deal translates into legislation, it will outlast anything President Biden signed in his first two years in office.
Living life: Tony Dow rose to fame at a young age as Wally Cleaver on the 1950s sitcom Leave It to Beaver. He initially resented the way the role typecast him, but said that changed with his age.He died at the age of 77.
sports news from athletics
Sweep and trade: the mets are over Yankees 2-game sweep Yesterday, just minutes after the final out, Bronx Bombers traded for Andrew Benintendiis one of the top bats on the market.
DK Metcalf “holds up”: The Seahawks wide receiver attended Wednesday’s practice. but refused to participate while the team worked on a new contract for him.
Rare condition of Mike Trout: Angels superstar outfielder Address rare back conditionssaid the team’s trainer. Trout said he plans to play again this season, but there is no timetable for his return to the lineup.
art and ideas
Have you seen these boots?
The producers of the Broadway revival of ‘Into the Woods’ are looking for a special prop. It’s a giant inflatable boot that hung in front of the theater in the 1980s. The boot was returned for the show’s 2002 revival, but was put into storage when the weather turned bad. Now no one knows where it is, writes James Barron. .
Producer Jordan Ross said, “It was literally a beacon that brought us all to the theater.” I think it was a method that embodied in
Some suspect that it was cut into pieces. Some say the producers just aren’t looking in the right place. “It’s in storage,” said Michael David, executive producer of the first run. “I don’t know where it is in the warehouse”