As an energy-efficiency bill heads toward collapse in the Senate, lawmakers and analysts are wondering: If the world’s greatest deliberative body cannot pass legislation on energy efficiency, what can it pass? And what will it take?

“We have things that need to be resolved and advanced in the energy sector. If we can’t get an energy-efficiency bill to the floor, what does that say about our ability as a Senate to act?” Sen. Lisa Murkowski told reporters before breaking into a coughing fit.