Climate Solutions Caucus
The Climate Solutions Caucus is a bipartisan congressional organization in the United States House of Representatives and Senate, comprising roughly equal numbers of Republicans and Democrats who collaborate on policies to mitigate climate change impacts while prioritizing economic growth, energy security, and innovation-driven solutions such as carbon capture and agricultural conservation.[1][2] Launched in the House in 2016 under the auspices of the Citizens' Climate Lobby advocacy group, which emphasizes market-based mechanisms like carbon pricing, the caucus grew to over 70 members by 2018 before contracting due to midterm election losses among moderate Republicans; it relaunched in the 118th Congress with 57 members (28 Republicans and 29 Democrats) co-chaired by Representative Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) and Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), maintaining a "Noah's Ark" pairing rule to ensure partisan balance.[3][4][5] The Senate counterpart, initiated by Senator Chris Coons (D-DE), similarly seeks to overcome partisan gridlock on issues like permitting reforms and transmission infrastructure.[2] Key activities include advocating for streamlined energy permitting, support for carbon dioxide storage projects, and integration of climate resilience into agriculture via the Farm Bill, with members voting cohesively against anti-climate amendments in defense authorizations; a notable achievement was the 2021 passage of the Growing Climate Solutions Act, which facilitates verification of farmers' carbon sequestration practices to access emerging markets.[6][7] Despite its emphasis on pragmatic bipartisanship, the caucus has faced criticism for admitting members with histories of climate skepticism or poor environmental voting records—such as former Representative Matt Gaetz, who backed withdrawal from the Paris Agreement—raising questions about its substantive influence amid broader congressional polarization and limited passage of ambitious legislation beyond targeted provisions.[8][9][10]History
Founding and Early Development
The Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus in the United States House of Representatives was established on February 1, 2016, by Representatives Carlos Curbelo, a Republican from Florida's 26th district, and Ted Deutch, a Democrat from Florida's 22nd district.[11][12] Both lawmakers represented South Florida areas facing risks from sea level rise and coastal flooding, motivating their focus on pragmatic responses to environmental challenges rather than partisan posturing.[13] The caucus's creation drew support from the Citizens' Climate Lobby, a nonprofit advocacy organization that had lobbied for over two years to build bipartisan momentum around market-based policies like carbon fees with dividend rebates.[11][14] From inception, the caucus adopted a rule requiring equal numbers of Republicans and Democrats to ensure balanced representation and prevent dominance by one party, with new members admitted only in bipartisan pairs.[15] Initial activities centered on internal discussions to identify common ground on climate policy, emphasizing technological innovation, private-sector incentives, and economic resilience over heavy regulation or international agreements.[16] By September 2016, membership expanded to 20, incorporating pairs such as Representatives Jim Himes (D-CT) and Lee Zeldin (R-NY), as well as Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Mark Amodei (R-NV).[17] Entering the 115th Congress in January 2017, the caucus experienced rapid growth, more than doubling to 28 members—14 from each party—by March of that year, driven by recruitment efforts highlighting regional vulnerabilities and opportunities for energy independence.[12] This expansion continued, reaching 62 members (31 per party) by December 2017, reflecting appeal among moderate Republicans wary of alarmist rhetoric but open to solutions leveraging American ingenuity in areas like nuclear power and carbon capture.[18] Early legislative efforts included co-sponsorship of bills for clean energy incentives and resilience funding, though the caucus prioritized dialogue over immediate votes amid broader congressional gridlock on energy policy.[16] The group's persistence laid groundwork for sustained bipartisan engagement, even as some founding members like Curbelo faced primary challenges from climate skeptics within their party.[19]Expansion and Key Milestones
The House Climate Solutions Caucus, founded in February 2016, initially comprised a small bipartisan group but expanded rapidly in its early years through a policy of admitting members in equal numbers of Democrats and Republicans to maintain balance.[16][15] By September 2016, membership reached 20, reflecting growing interest among coastal and vulnerable-district representatives.[17] At the start of the 115th Congress in January 2017, the caucus had 12 members, doubling to 28 by March amid heightened constituent pressure following the 2016 election.[12] Further growth accelerated in 2017, with the caucus attaining 50 members by July through paired additions such as Reps. Steve Knight (R-CA) and Marcy Kaptur (D-OH).[20] It surpassed 58 members in September and hit 60 by October, including Reps. Pete Aguilar (D-CA) and Mimi Walters (R-CA), before peaking at approximately 90 by the end of the 115th Congress.[21][22][15] This expansion was driven by Citizens' Climate Lobby advocacy and a focus on market-based solutions appealing to moderate Republicans from districts affected by extreme weather.[15] A key milestone occurred on October 23, 2019, with the launch of the Senate Climate Solutions Caucus by Sens. Chris Coons (D-DE) and Mike Braun (R-IN), extending the bipartisan model to the upper chamber for the first time and emphasizing industry-driven innovations over regulatory mandates.[23][24] Membership in both caucuses fluctuated with electoral cycles, declining post-2018 midterm losses among moderate Republicans, but saw revitalization in the 118th Congress.[4] In July 2023, the House caucus relaunched under co-chairs Reps. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), achieving numerical parity with 29 Democrats and 29 Republicans by mid-year, signaling renewed viability for cross-aisle collaboration amid ongoing debates over energy policy.[25][4] This balance adhered to the caucus's "Noah's Ark" principle of paired admissions, fostering dialogue on resilience measures without endorsing specific carbon pricing mechanisms.[15][1]Organizational Structure
House Climate Solutions Caucus
The House Climate Solutions Caucus operates as an informal, bipartisan organization within the U.S. House of Representatives, emphasizing equal participation from Republicans and Democrats to foster collaborative climate policy development. Membership is structured to ensure parity, with new members admitted exclusively in pairs—one from each party—to prevent partisan imbalance, a rule enforced since the caucus's inception to promote sustained cross-aisle cooperation. As of the latest available data, the caucus includes 28 Republicans and 28 Democrats, totaling 56 members.[26] Leadership is divided between co-chairs and vice-chairs from opposing parties, reflecting the caucus's commitment to balanced governance. The Republican co-chair is Representative Andrew Garbarino of New York's 2nd district, while the Democratic co-chair is Representative Scott Peters of California's 52nd district; vice-chairs are Representative David Valadao (R-CA) and Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA). This structure facilitates joint decision-making on priorities, such as identifying legislation that addresses climate risks through innovation, resilience, and market mechanisms without imposing undue regulatory burdens on the economy.[26][27] The caucus functions through regular meetings, briefings, and working groups where members discuss policy options, often drawing on external expertise from stakeholders like businesses and scientists to evaluate proposals based on empirical outcomes rather than ideological mandates. While lacking formal statutory authority, it influences House proceedings by coordinating member support for bills, hosting events to build consensus, and amplifying bipartisan voices on climate-related committees. This operational model prioritizes pragmatic solutions, such as incentives for clean energy deployment and adaptation measures, over prescriptive mandates.[1]Senate Climate Solutions Caucus
The Senate Climate Solutions Caucus is a bipartisan congressional group dedicated to advancing pragmatic, market-oriented legislative solutions to address climate change impacts while prioritizing economic growth, innovation, and energy security. Launched on October 23, 2019, by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Mike Braun (R-IN), it serves as the Senate counterpart to the House Climate Solutions Caucus, aiming to overcome partisan gridlock by pairing an equal number of Republicans and Democrats.[24][2] The initiative was supported by the Citizens' Climate Lobby, an advocacy organization promoting carbon fee-and-dividend mechanisms as a core policy tool.[3] Initially co-chaired by Coons and Braun, the caucus focused on developing strategies for emissions reductions through economic incentives, agricultural innovations, and smooth transitions for energy sector workers.[2] Following Braun's election as Governor of Indiana in November 2024 and his departure from the Senate in January 2025, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) became the Republican co-chair alongside Coons.[28] Membership expanded in late 2019 to include Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Murkowski (R-AK), Mitt Romney (R-UT), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), with further additions in 2020 bringing the total to a balanced bipartisan roster.[29] As of 2025, the caucus comprises the following members:- Co-Chairs: Chris Coons (D-DE), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
- Democrats/Independents: Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Angus King (I-ME), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
- Republicans: Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Susan Collins (R-ME), John Curtis (R-UT)
Mission and Policy Principles
Stated Objectives
The Climate Solutions Caucus, encompassing both House and Senate iterations, states its core objective as fostering bipartisan collaboration to identify and advance economically viable, market-driven policies that mitigate climate risks while safeguarding national economic competitiveness, energy security, and infrastructure. This mission emphasizes educating congressional members on practical options that reduce emissions without undermining American industry or consumer interests, such as leveraging innovation in energy technologies and natural resources.[5][31][32] In the House, the caucus explicitly aims to explore bipartisan legislative solutions that protect sectors like agriculture, water supply, and public health from climate-related disruptions, prioritizing approaches that enhance U.S. energy independence and global market position.[22][33] The requirement for balanced membership—adding Republicans and Democrats in pairs—underpins this goal, ensuring parity and consensus-building to overcome partisan barriers on environmental policy.[15] The Senate Climate Solutions Caucus similarly seeks to break legislative gridlock by developing targeted strategies, including economic incentives for emission reductions, integration of agricultural practices into climate mitigation, and energy transitions that prioritize worker protections and affordability for consumers. Its objectives include bolstering U.S. leadership in clean energy technologies and ensuring environmental policies support long-term prosperity rather than impose undue regulatory burdens.[2]Approach to Climate Solutions
The Climate Solutions Caucus emphasizes pragmatic, bipartisan strategies for climate mitigation and adaptation, prioritizing technological innovation, private sector involvement, and economic viability over unilateral regulatory impositions. In the Senate iteration, co-chairs focus on deploying advanced technologies such as carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) alongside energy storage systems to reduce emissions across sectors like manufacturing and transportation.[34] This approach integrates science-based policy with market incentives, including reforestation initiatives and conservation practices in agriculture to sequester carbon while sustaining working lands and forests.[35] Resilience-building measures, such as infrastructure adaptations to weather variability, are advanced concurrently with job creation in emerging clean energy fields, aiming to enhance U.S. competitiveness without favoring special interests.[34] The House caucus complements this by advocating reforms in energy permitting and transmission infrastructure to accelerate deployment of low-emission technologies, as evidenced by support for bipartisan permitting streamlining on November 21, 2024.[6] Members have championed 29 specific bills for inclusion in the Farm Bill, announced on May 10, 2024, targeting climate-resilient agriculture and conservation without disrupting rural economies.[1] This reflects a commitment to constructive cross-aisle dialogue involving businesses, environmental groups, and global partners, ensuring solutions protect prosperity amid emissions reductions.[1] Influenced by organizations like Citizens' Climate Lobby, which facilitated the caucus's formation in 2016, the group explores market-oriented tools such as carbon pricing mechanisms, though its scope extends to technology-neutral policies favoring innovation over prescriptive mandates.[3] Membership parity between Republicans and Democrats enforces balanced deliberation, fostering legislation like Class VI well permitting for geologic carbon storage, urged in a bipartisan letter to the EPA on April 2, 2024.[36] Overall, the caucus's framework underscores causal linkages between policy design and outcomes, such as leveraging private investment for measurable emission declines while mitigating economic trade-offs.[34]Membership
House Membership Trends
The House Climate Solutions Caucus was established in February 2016 during the 114th Congress by Representatives Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) and Ted Deutch (D-FL), initially comprising a small bipartisan core of members committed to discussing climate policy solutions while maintaining economic priorities.[37][20] Membership expanded following a "Noah's Ark" model, adding one Republican and one Democrat per pair to ensure partisan balance, reaching 20 members by September 2016.[17][14] In the 115th Congress (2017–2019), the caucus experienced significant growth, surpassing 50 members (25 from each party) by July 2017, 60 members (30 each) by November 2017, and peaking at 90 members by late 2018, reflecting increased appeal among moderate Republicans amid concerns over coastal vulnerabilities and energy innovation.[13][32][14] This expansion made it larger than many established caucuses, though membership remained concentrated in coastal and swing districts.[15]| Congress | Approximate Total Membership | Republicans | Democrats | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 114th (2015–2017) | 20 (by Sep 2016) | 10 | 10 | Founding and initial growth phase.[17] |
| 115th (2017–2019) | 90 (peak late 2018) | 45 | 45 | Rapid bipartisan expansion under Noah's Ark rule.[14][15] |
| 116th–117th (2019–2023) | <30 (estimated, largely dormant) | <15 | <15 | Sharp decline post-2018 elections; over one-third of Republicans defeated in Democratic wave, leading to minimal activity.[4][38] |
| 118th (2023–) | ~58 (as of Jul 2023 relaunch) | 29 | 29 | Relaunch with restored parity; focused on core bipartisan dialogue amid Republican House majority.[4][14][39] |