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Currently the US Congress is in the middle of a reconciliation process that will help determine how our federal government spends its money. Reconciliation is one workaround in Congress that allows new spending and revenue sources to be approved more quickly and by a simple majority. The process starts when the House and Senate budget committees release budget resolutions containing spending instructions for other committees.
Why does the Sierra Club get involved with this process? All of the committees in the House and Senate involved in the reconciliation process-- from Agriculture to Energy and Commerce, Education, Labor, and others -- deal with interconnected climate issues. Will there be funding for a Civilian Conservation Corps? It’s worked out in committee. Will there be revenue drawn from fossil fuel drilling? It’s worked out in committee. Will there be tax breaks for clean energy investments? You guessed it, it’s worked out in committee. Everything discussed touches on whether everyone in this country will be able to live in a healthy and safe community.
The Sierra Club’s top priorities for inclusion in the budget reconciliation bill are rooted in our core values of ensuring that we all have fresh air to breathe, clean water to drink, safe homes and healthy communities -- no matter our race, age, identity, income or zip code. Likewise, we believe everyone deserves access to family-sustaining jobs, healthy food, the outdoors, and clean affordable transportation, energy, and water. These goals are critical to fighting climate change.
The Sierra Club sees what’s at stake in the reconciliation and recognizes that if we act together with our millions of members and supporters, then tremendous progress can be made. Like thousands of activists just did during a Sierra Club week of action, we need to let our elected officials know what our priorities are: a just clean energy economy, stronger protections for our public lands, investment in green, climate-resilient infrastructure, and more.
Once the committees have finished writing their bills, they are compiled into a larger bill called an omnibus, which goes to a vote on the House and Senate floors. The House and Senate then consider each other’s omnibus bills and vote on proposed amendments. Right now the House has a September 15 deadline to get its final omnibus ready for vote. The Senate may reveal its bill on the same day.
You can help shape these hugely consequential pieces of legislation, which could be the largest climate investment the county has ever seen! Join us in making sure that Congress funds a just clean energy future, fights climate change, protects public lands, and funds critical infrastructure across the US.