Maggie Aspland’s letter to the editor on Dec. 5 had encouraging news on the climate front: a bipartisan bill to price carbon was introduced in the House of Representatives (“Climate Change: It is time to act”). Now we have more great news for the holidays. A similar bipartisan bill was introduced in the U.S. Senate on Dec. 19.

The Senate bill, The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, is similar to the House bill of the same name. Both bills were intentionally introduced in the lame-duck session. They have no chance of passing this year, but they set the stage and tone for next year when both bills will be reintroduced.

These bills send the message that members of Congress are ready to act for our collective future. They signal an understanding that effective, long-term climate legislation must be bipartisan. These proactive members of Congress recognize that to solve our climate crisis, we must create bridges to bring us together, not more wedges to divide us and doom us to failure.

We need this strong climate legislation. It will be effective at reducing greenhouse gases. It will be good for people, help the economy and create good jobs. It will send the revenue to the people, and especially help lower-income people improve their lives. Learn more at energyinnovationact.org.

Let’s thank and support the members of Congress who co-sponsored these bills. Let’s also tell Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and Rep. Pramila Jayapal that we expect them to work with Republicans and co-sponsor these bills when they are reintroduced next session.

— Virginia Lohr