Sierra Club to Rep. Murphy: Don't Undermine Climate Action
A Few House Democrats Threaten Progress on the Most Important Climate Legislation In U.S. History
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A small group of House Democrats, including Rep. Stephanie Murphy of Florida's 7th Congressional District, have threatened to halt progress on the most important climate legislation in U.S. history and the only potential vehicle for major action on climate, care, jobs, and justice in near term view.
This comes on the heels of dire warnings from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that the extreme weather events we're already experiencing — including historic droughts, superstorms, record-breaking wildfires, and unprecedented coastal flooding — will continue to rapidly worsen unless the world cuts all carbon pollution in half by 2031.
Other House members who are presenting obstacles to much-needed community investments are Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey, Filemon Vela of Texas, Jared Golden of Maine, Henry Cuellar of Texas, Vicente Gonzalez of Texas, Ed Case of Hawaii, Jim Costa of California, Carolyn Bourdeaux of Georgia, and Kurt Schrader of Oregon.
In response, Sierra Club Florida Chapter Chair Steve Wonderly released the following statement:
"We are disappointed that Congresswoman Murphy is threatening the passage of such an important piece of legislation. Her constituents in Florida will benefit significantly from the budget reconciliation bill and are relieved to see federal action on the climate crisis through investment in improved transit and the expansion of clean energy, not to mention the resulting family-sustaining jobs. Congress can pass both the bipartisan infrastructure bill and the budget reconciliation bill; there is no reason to give up leverage now. We encourage Congresswoman Murphy to reconsider her decision."