The Climate Crisis

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 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.

The Climate Crisis Related

Today’s announcement by the Department of the Interior represents an abdication of this Administration’s responsibility to serve as stewards of our public lands and national monuments for current and future generations.

8/24/17

Today marks six months since President Trump’s inauguration. 

7/20/17

Another day, another poll showing the majority of Americans oppose President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement. Not only are Americans worried about the adverse consequences of climate change (contrary to his Energy Secretary's latest comments) and how Trump’s decision undermines our nation’s credibility, but the majority of the public also believes the decision is bad for our economy.

6/20/17

Last week, President Trump withdrew from the Paris Climate Accords, an international agreement signed by nearly 200 countries to combat the effects of climate change. 

6/7/17

Business leaders, national security officials, and public health experts all support a global response to climate change – and so do the American people. A new Washington Post-ABC News poll shows that 59% of Americans oppose Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement. From the Washington Post:

6/5/17

Last week, President Trump announced that he is withdrawing the United States from the Paris Climate Accords – an agreement signed by almost 200 countries that will work to combat climate change. 

6/5/17

The announcement of President Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement is a striking abdication of American leadership in the world. It is a dangerous surrender of American strength in foreign affairs, one that empowers other nations and weakens our influence abroad. 

6/1/17

If President Trump withdraws from the Paris climate agreement, he will once again undermine America's global leadership and put national security, our economy, and public health at risk.

5/31/17

President Trump's refusal to affirm the Paris climate agreement alongside the other G7 leaders represents a striking abdication of American leadership.

5/28/17

House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD), House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (CA), Senate Democratic Leader Charles E. Schumer (NY), and Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (IL) released the following statement on a letter they sent to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke today urging him to reject efforts to shrink or eliminate national monuments in carrying out the President’s April 26th executive order:

5/25/17

Saturday, April 29 marks Donald Trump’s 100th day as president. His first 100 days have been defined by chaos, incompetence and broken promises to the American people.

4/26/17

The Clean Power Plan was promulgated in order to protect public health and protect our nation from the devastating impacts of climate change. 

3/28/17

Don’t just take our word for it – a look at the headlines shows that we aren’t the only ones who thought the President’s speech was long on empty rhetoric and short on substance:

Roll Call: In Joint Address, Trump Offers Congress Few Policy Details

3/1/17

The President-Elect continues to appoint individuals who are either unqualified or who have denigrated the Department they were nominated to lead.  

12/14/16

Finally, after weeks of negotiation, House Republicans brought a water resources bill to the Floor.  

12/8/16

I am deeply disappointed in President-Elect Trump’s choice to lead the Environmental Protection Agency.  

12/7/16

As Congress prepares to adjourn at the end of the week, it’s clear that the Republican-led 114th Congress has become yet another closed, unproductive, do-nothing Congress.

9/27/16

House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement on the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service.

8/25/16

I offer my deepest condolences to the families and friends who lost loved ones in this week’s attack in Nice, France. 

7/15/16

House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) spoke on the House Floor today after House Republicans adjourned the House without taking action to address gun violence, the threat of the Zika virus, or the water crisis in Flint, Michigan. 

7/14/16

House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today in response to the release of Speaker Ryan and House Republicans’ regulatory agenda, the third plank of their #WrongWay agenda.

6/14/16

House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) spoke on the House Floor this afternoon in support of the Toxic Substance Control Modernization Act, a bill to modernize outdated legislation to protect Americans from harmful toxic substances. Below is a transcript of his remarks.

5/24/16

Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone released the following statement on the introduction of bipartisan legislation and a bipartisan manager’s amendment to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act.

5/23/16

House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today in recognition of Earth Day, the same day Secretary of State John Kerry signed the Paris Agreement.

4/22/16