Second, there are plenty of good initiatives out there, there is plenty of progress we can make right now, even in a narrowly divided Congress. There's a cliche around this town that nothing gets done during an election year, especially nothing related to the environment. But unlike most cliches, this one has no basis in fact. In 1996, an election year, the 104th Congress not one known for its green cast passed the Food Quality Protection Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act and a massive parks bill, to name just a few landmarks. Similarly, this year, we could pass CARA and numerous other significant bills.
Elections are more often a spur to action than a barrier to it.
So the approach of Earth Day in this election year should fill us with hope and optimism because we are well positioned to make real progress.