"Democrats put climate change back on the forefront of their governing agenda Thursday, portraying the issue as an "existential threat" even as the caucus remains split over how forcefully to respond.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi brought up the issue in her opening address while touting a new select panel to come up with ideas on how to solve it, and the Energy and Commerce Committee announced that climate change would be the subject of its very first hearing this year.

But the party's enthusiasm belies lingering tension between liberal activists who say party leaders are not being ambitious enough and moderates who worry about proposals that could be cast as too costly or unrealistic — especially after an election in which the party picked up former GOP seats in places like Kansas and Oklahoma. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump and Republicans who control the Senate have shown no interest in pursuing dramatic reductions in carbon emissions — meaning no House bill is likely to become law — even as scientists warn that time is running out to get a handle on the situation. "

Anthony Adragna and Zack Colman report for Politico January 3, 2019. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Pelosi Gets Standing Ovation Over Climate Change" (CNN) [3]

"New Congress Members See Climate Solutions and Jobs in a Green New Deal" (InsideClimate News) [4]