A study from the University of Washington shows that the U.S. House of Representatives is more likely to vote on climate action when it is linked with certain other environmental issues. Climate change is a deeply divisive topic in American politics, and while Congress hasn’t passed many climate-related bills in the last 20 years, the House has voted on numerous bills related to climate. This offers a chance to analyze what drives politicians to back climate legislation.

The study looks at how support for climate bills changes when they are connected to other environmental concerns. Researchers used data from the League of Conservation Voters, examining 77 climate-focused votes in the House from 2007 to 2021. They found that climate legislation gains more traction when tied to issues like air pollution or environmental justice but loses support when linked to water pollution or transportation. Democrats consistently supported climate action more than Republicans in all cases.

Building consensus

These findings suggest that bundling climate action with other environmental policies affects how much political backing it receives—an important clue into what motivates U.S. lawmakers to support climate legislation.

The researchers note that their study focuses on just one organization’s definitions of climate and environmental legislation. Future research could expand to include a wider range of environmental issues and other factors that might influence support for climate action.

“Climate policy is highly polarizing in the U.S., so it’s crucial to understand where progress can be made. Linking issues helps legislators address the global challenge of climate change while also securing local wins for their districts,” the authors conclude.