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.
With two weeks to go before the highway bill expires and student loan interest rates double, House Republicans are not taking action on either item. Instead, they're once again wasting time on political messaging bills. Their message items this week: two anti-environmental bills that do not create jobs and threaten public health.
Today, the President called on Congress to take concrete steps that will help American businesses create jobs that won’t be shipped overseas. It is very unfortunate that Republicans in control of the House have chosen to shirk their responsibilities by refusing to consider a comprehensive plan for growing jobs. Moreover, after a year in the majority, they continue to block Democrats’ Make It In America jobs plan.
Once a year, we pause to commemorate Earth Day and reflect on the importance of protecting of our environment and preserving it for the enjoyment of future generations. Earth Day has inspired in us a greater conscientiousness of how our actions affect the planet, from the cars we drive to the benefits of recycling. Working together with the Obama Administration, Democrats in Congress have enacted the toughest fuel economy standards in history and have taken significant steps to decrease our dependence on foreign oil. We have also worked to reduce pollution, protect our air and water, and serve as responsible stewards of all of our America’s natural wonders, from the sparkling Chesapeake Bay to California’s majestic Redwoods.
In announcing new steps today to crack down on price manipulation and to increase oversight of the oil market, President Obama is continuing his pursuit of an all-of-the-above strategy to combat rising gasoline prices. Among the steps laid out by the President this morning is ensuring that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has all the resources it needs to prevent illegal market manipulation. Doing so will contribute to our long-term energy security and help reduce costs to consumers. Yet, House Republicans passed a budget that slashes funding for the CFTC.
“Today’s hearing was an opportunity for Members of Congress to hear from experts on the problem of rising gas prices that has affected so many middle-class families across the country. I commend the Steering and Policy Committee for drawing attention to the role of that excessive oil speculation plays in driving prices up for consumers. President Obama and Democrats in Congress will continue to pursue an all-of-the-above strategy to achieve energy savings and ensure affordable energy for future generations. I hope Republicans will join with us in this effort instead of continuing to insist on a drill-only approach that won’t lead to real solutions to the energy challenges we must meet in the months and years to come.”
The Chairman of the Budget Committee has spoken of a choice between two futures. He is correct in framing it this way. The budget he proposes would end the Medicare guarantee, cut taxes for the wealthiest, and place our economic recovery at risk.
Last week, House Republicans put forward a more-of-the-same budget that ends the Medicare guarantee while protecting tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, and puts our economic recovery and jobs at risk. While Republicans were clear that they want to protect tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans and place the burden of deficit reduction onto seniors, the middle class, working families, and the most vulnerable, their budget left several questions unanswered.
Last week, House Republicans introduced a budget for fiscal year 2013 that is a repeat of the budget they put forward last year. It ends the Medicare guarantee while protecting tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, and according to the Economic Policy Institute, puts four million jobs at risk. Instead of pursuing a budget that creates jobs, strengthens entitlements, reduces the deficit in a balanced way, and asks all Americans to contribute their fair share, the Republican budget makes the wrong choices.
Today’s announcement by the President of an expedited review process for the southern portion of the Keystone XL pipeline builds on the ‘all-of-the-above’ strategy for energy savings his Administration has pursued. Since the President was sworn into office, domestic production of oil and natural gas has increased, while the importation of foreign oil has fallen to less than half of what we consume. During the same period, 75,000 jobs have been created in the oil and gas sector.
Yesterday, Republicans unveiled a more-of-the-same budget for fiscal year 2013 that ends the Medicare guarantee while protecting tax cuts for the wealthy, and puts our economic recovery at risk. The Republican budget makes the wrong choices and places the burden of deficit reduction onto seniors, the middle class, working families, and the most vulnerable by refusing to ask the wealthiest among us to contribute. Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan called on the American people to make a choice between two futuresfor our nation. Here’s a look at our future under the Republican budget – and the future Democrats envision instead.