The Climate Crisis

For residents of areas affected by Hurricane Sandy, additional assistance to continue recovery efforts cannot come soon enough. The emergency aid package requested today by the Obama Administration will help communities in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and neighboring states get back on their feet.

Today, House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) traveled with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Congressman Gregory Meeks (NY-6) to visit Rockaway Peninsula in Queens, New York, which experienced significant damage from Hurricane Sandy. During the tour, Col. Kent Savre, Commander of the North Atlantic Division of the Corps of Engineers, and Col. Trey Jordan, head of the Corps’ New York Recovery Field Office and Commander of the Baltimore District, briefed Whip Hoyer and Congressman Meeks on the extent of damage and recovery efforts.

“Today’s settlement between BP and the U.S. government represents an important step in the direction of justice and toward closure for the families of the 11 Deepwater Horizon rig workers who lost their lives as well as the millions of Gulf Coast residents who suffered from the oil spill and its aftermath.  In the days and weeks following the explosion on Deepwater Horizon, the Obama Administration made it clear that those responsible would be held to answer for it and that every effort would be made to recover the Gulf Coast’s economy and natural environment.  This settlement, along with the sustained relief effort over the past two years that has done so much to rebuild Gulf Coast communities, helps fulfill that promise. 

Today's decision by the President to impose tough tariffs on Chinese solar imports is just the latest step by the Obama Administration to get tough on foreign companies who don't play by the rules. I applaud his move, which will help American manufacturers compete here at home and overseas.

“This bill is just another example of Republicans’ agenda of distraction from issues that matter to Americans.  Their partisan legislation would have terrible effects on the air our children breathe and the water they drink, and it won’t help us meet the challenge of creating jobs for our middle class or provide us with greater energy security.  Moreover, the House of Representatives has already voted on every title of this bill and sent legislation to the Senate that comprises its core provisions.  There is no reason why we should be spending our time voting on these issues again.

“I applaud President Obama’s action today that reinforced Democrats’ energy policy that strengthens our economic, national, and environmental security.  The new fuel standards will benefit the economy through lower costs for consumers, and by ensuring our nation remains on the leading edge of technology and innovation as automakers develop the most fuel-efficient cars. The new standards will also increase our national security as we move away from our dependence on foreign oil, and promote energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gases. This is a bold step, and the right one to help secure America’s future.” 

Democrats’ Make It In America plan is based on the belief that when more products are made in America, more families will be able to Make It In America. The plan is intended to create the conditionsto help American businesses produce goods here, innovate here, and create jobs here; it includes many of the investments necessary for America to out-educate, out-innovate, and out-build its international competitors. President Obama has already signed ten Make It In America bills into law, many of which won bipartisan support. Business and labor leaders alike support Democrats’ Make It In America plan—because Making It In America is central to the future of our competitiveness, our jobs, and our place in the world.

As he prepared to take office, President Kennedy spoke to a nation troubled by anxiety over America’s leadership in the world and uncertainty over whether future Americans would inherit a strong and secure economy.