The View from Washington (2): An essay on Trump 2.0 and climate politics.

The article was first published on Civil Notion.

A note to readers. This is the second in an occasional series on the transition from the Biden to the incoming Trump administrations — the early days.

The final vote counts are in, and the split between House Republicans and Democrats is 220 to 215. Although the Republicans have managed to maintain their majority status, they lost two seats in the election. It could prove problematic for the former and future presidents.

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When the 119th Congress opens for business in January, the House Republican conference will be minus three members because of retirement (Gaetz R-FL) and moves to the Trump administration by Stefanik (R-NY) and Waltz (R-FL). It will reduce the GOP majority to one. It also means that one defection and Democratic discipline could result in tie votes of 216 to 216. Unlike the Senate, the House has no tie-breaker. It is the only time the vice president can vote in the upper chamber. Tied House votes are considered defeats.

Capitol Hill Republicans and the Trump administration are under great pressure to produce significant, observable progress on the incoming…