It’s week two of the United Nations COP25 climate summit, and it’s the last few days of Congress before the winter recess. 

What have American policymakers accomplished? 

We get an update from the U.S. Climate Action Center on site at the UN climate talks. We look at wildfire victim relief in California. And we discuss 12 pieces of clean energy legislation that House Republicans are calling on Democrats to support. What's the political strategy at play?

Plus, a prominent former senator weighs in on the climate, energy and security nexus and how to avoid the game of “political football” that climate policy has become today.

Later in this show, we speak to former Republican Senator Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire about what she calls “common-sense” solutions to combat climate change.

Recommended reading:

• Al Jazeera: As Trump walks away from climate pact, America's Pledge steps up
• Vox: The future of the Paris climate agreement is being decided this week
• NYT: PG&E Reaches $13.5 Billion Deal With Wildfire Victims
• E&C: Bipartisan Solutions to Protect the Environment and the Economy

Political Climate is produced in partnership with the USC Schwarzenegger Institute, and thanks to invaluable support from producer Victoria Simon.

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