The Climate Crisis
Democrats strongly believe in our responsibility to address the climate crisis head-on and to serve as stewards of our environment and public lands for current and future generations. Democrats are working with President Biden to restore protections for our environment and natural resources, promote cleaner air and water, and ensure America is a leader in confronting the climate crisis. During the 117th Congress, House Democrats delivered a historic slate of legislation to address the climate crisis. These include the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law enacted in November 2021, a generational infrastructure package that is estimated to create nearly 1.5 million jobs annually throughout the next decade, turbocharge our clean energy economy, and take action on environmental justice and legacy pollution initiatives. The landmark Inflation Reduction Act is America’s single-largest investment in combatting the climate crisis and puts the U.S. on a path to roughly 40% emissions reduction by 2030. It includes historic investments in the clean energy economy that will lower energy costs, increase our energy security, and substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This legislation also promotes alternative energy and electric vehicle production. The CHIPS and Science Act, signed into law by President Biden in August 2022, invests in science and technology of the future, bolstering efforts to manufacture clean energy technology in the United States and providing access to training programs that will help to develop the STEM workforce of tomorrow. House Democrats also passed a number of bills that act to protect and conserve our planet, including the Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act, the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, the Water Resources Development Act, and the Protecting America's Wilderness and Public Lands Act. In addition, House Democrats overturned a dangerous methane emissions rule put into place by the Trump Administration. We will continue to partner with the Biden Administration to combat catastrophic climate change and protect our natural resources for future generations.
Just wanted to point out that, as Tropical Storm Karen makes its way toward the Gulf Coast, the bill on the Floor today (which leaves the government shut down) doesn’t address a wide range of agencies that respond to major storms, including:
“Once again, Republicans have succeeded at taking a bad bill and making it worse. I am very disappointed by reports that Republican leaders are planning to seek a $40 billion cut to nutrition assistance that helps the most vulnerable in our communities stave off hunger and poverty.
“I am pleased that the Senate has confirmed Gina McCarthy as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency with a bipartisan vote of 59-40. In her more than twenty-five years of service to the people of this country, Ms. McCarthy has worked at both the state and federal levels developing and implementing policies aimed at protecting the environment while encouraging economic growth and greater energy efficiency.
MESSAGE FROM THE DEMOCRATIC WHIP
This week marked the beginning of civilian Defense Department employee furloughs, which are the result of Congress’ failure to replace the arbitrary and untargeted spending cuts known as the sequester. These furloughs undermine their ability to support our war-fighters and impede our ability to recruit and retain the qualified federal workforce our nation needs and expects.
“This side of the aisle believes the passage of the farm bill is very, very important. It's important for our agricultural interests, for our farmers. We believe it's very important for those who are relying on nutritional programs and support from us.”
The fiscal year 2014 Energy and Water Appropriations bill that Republicans brought to the Floor this week takes the wrong approach to budgeting and slashes critical energy and water infrastructure investments, which is why I am opposing it.
“Today, as I stood with the families of the nineteen fallen firefighters in Prescott Valley, Arizona, I joined in remembering their dedication, their courage, and their sacrifice as they fought to save their community from one of the region’s most devastating wildfires.
First week back from the 4th of July district work period, and what are Republicans doing?
And predictably, House Republicans learn exactly the wrong lesson from their Farm bill failure.
As POLITICO explains:
“As Americans have witnessed the increasing frequency of deadly storms like Hurricane Sandy and the stifling heat that has led to devastating droughts, there can be no denying the impact of climate change on our environment, our economy, and our national security.