On December 4, outgoing House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton (R-TX) said he intends to block Democrats from passing a mandatory federal cap on greenhouse gas emissions. Barton expressed doubt that the Democrat-controlled Senate could move such a bill.
The House is less likely to move a bill because of skepticism among Republicans and more moderate and conservative Democrats, namely incoming Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell (D-MI). "His counsel to me for the last four years has not been to be an activist in the legislative arena on this issue, so I'd be a little surprised if he decides to be an activist," Barton said.
On December 5, incoming Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) downplayed chances of replicating California's global warming law for the entire country but still insisted she will try next year to move as much legislation on climate change as she can. "Will I get everything that I want, meaning a bill that looks like California? I will doubt that," Boxer said during a Capitol Hill press conference on her upcoming agenda.