# Why a Bill in 2008: Same Politics in 2009

*Published:* 2008-01-25
*Author:* Steve Cochran

![Steve Cochran](http://blogs.edf.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/1/2008/01/steve_cochran.png)*This post is by [Steve Cochran](http://environmentaldefense.org/page.cfm?tagID=905), National Climate Campaign Director at Environmental Defense. It’s the first in a series on **Why a Bill in 2008**:*

1\. Same Politics in 2009  
2\. [Good versus Perfect](https://blogs.edf.org/climate411/2008/01/30/why_now-good_v_perfect/)  
3\. [The Price of Waiting](https://blogs.edf.org/climate411/2008/02/14/price_of_waiting/)  
4\. [The World is Waiting](https://blogs.edf.org/climate411/2008/03/19/world_is_waiting/)  
5\. [Best Answer to High Gas Prices](https://blogs.edf.org/climate411/2008/05/28/why-a-bill-in-2008-its-the-best-answer-to-high-gas-prices/)

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The Lieberman-Warner [Climate Security Act](https://blogs.edf.org/climate411/2007/10/18/lieberman-warner_bill/) (CSA) is a solid bill, but it’s not perfect. And this is the last year of the Bush administration. The new administration, whatever the party, may be more supportive of action to halt climate change. So aren’t we likely to get a better bill through Congress if we wait for the next administration?

In a word, no. And moreover, we can’t afford to wait. Here’s why.

As [David Roberts explains on Grist](http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/1/22/15422/3704), a new administration doesn’t mean effortless passage of climate change legislation:

- The politics of climate change is as much regional as partisan, and that’s not going to change. Some states rely heavily on coal power, for example. We’ll still have the same interest groups pushing back in 2009 that we have in 2008.
- Sixty votes are needed in the Senate to force a change, and no serious political observer believes we’ll have 60 liberal environmental senators any time soon. Passing a bill will require compromises in 2009 just as it will in 2008.
- Climate change will not be at the top of the new president’s agenda. A possible recession, the war in Iraq, and healthcare will take priority. It could be a year or more before attention shifts back to the climate, and that’s a huge loss of time and momentum.

We have incredible momentum right now, and we can’t let the opportunity pass. There is growing support in [the Senate](https://blogs.edf.org/climate411/2007/12/06/csa_passes_committee/), [the House](https://blogs.edf.org/climate411/2008/01/16/house_action_now/), [major corporations](https://blogs.edf.org/climate411/2007/10/11/uscap_ad/) across the country, [religious groups](https://blogs.edf.org/climate411/2007/10/25/religious_leaders/), and [the country at large](https://blogs.edf.org/climate411/2007/11/09/poll_carbon_cap/). Momentum doesn’t last forever, and waiting is a dangerous bet.

Plus [we can’t afford to wait](https://blogs.edf.org/climate411/2007/10/19/urgency_of_action/). More on this, and why waiting doesn’t guarantee a better bill, in future posts.