Senator Lindsey Graham (RS.C.) told Axios on HBO that he intends to “lean” towards climate change and that he has already discussed potential common ground with President Biden’s special climate envoy, John Kerry.
Behind the scenes: In a follow-up interview with Axios, Graham said that Kerry called him in November, around the time that Kerry’s new position was announced, to see if there were any vacancies for us to work together.
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The intrigue: Graham has a climate history with Kerry – but not a success.
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More than a decade ago, he negotiated a comprehensive climate bill for months with then Democratic senators Kerry and Joe Lieberman.
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At that time, bipartisan senators were nicknamed “The Three Friends”, in honor of Steve Martin’s comedy in which Los Angeles silent film actors accidentally protect a Mexican village from a gang of thugs.
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But Graham abruptly withdrew from the two Democrats in April 2010, dealing a death blow to legislation that collapsed months later.
Why does it matter: If the South Carolina Republican veteran makes climate a priority and lobbies with his Republican colleagues, it could help break down major barriers to bipartisan efforts.
The big picture: Graham, who endorsed a carbon tax levy, argues that changes in the posture of powerful industries, including oil and gas companies and automakers, create new jobs.
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He repeatedly mentioned General Motors’ recent promise to sell only electric cars and SUVs by 2035, and noted that oil companies are moving to cleaner products.
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His comments were also made at a time when the powerful American Petroleum Institute, in a move, seems ready to endorse the price of carbon.
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“There is a coalition to be formed that did not exist two years ago,” said Graham.
What we’re watching: One of Graham’s focuses is that he wants to find ways to accelerate the deployment of electric vehicles and, at the same time, strengthen the Highway Trust Fund.
Reality check: Graham has signaled interest in the climate several times in recent years, such as co-sponsoring a bill with two Democrats last year to help farmers participate in carbon credit markets.
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But on the whole, he hasn’t made it a high priority during his term in the Senate since he stepped down from the 2010 initiative, and his new comments cover familiar ground for the South Carolina Republican.
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It did not help the cause of Graham who, for the past four years, the most powerful Republican, former President Donald Trump, has openly scoffed at the concept of fighting climate change.
Between the lines: More broadly, Republicans remain resistant to the kind of aggressive emission-cutting policies that Democrats and environmentalists seek.
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And carbon pricing is no longer a centerpiece of democratic climate efforts. Legislators and Biden administration officials, seeking deep cuts in emissions, are emphasizing large-scale investments and strict regulatory standards to reduce emissions from power plants, cars and more.
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