Adam Beitman, adam.beitman@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Nine House Democrats 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 during the very same week when the IPCC warned that the extreme weather events we’re already experiencing -- including historic droughts and floods, superstorms, record-breaking wildfires, and unprecedented coastal flooding -- will continue to rapidly worsen unless the world cuts all carbon pollution in half by 2031.
Those members are: Representatives Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey, Carolyn Bourdeaux of Georgia, Filemon Vela of Texas, Jared Golden of Maine, Henry Cuellar of Texas, Vicente Gonzalez of Texas, Ed Case of Hawaii, Jim Costa of California and Kurt Schrader of Oregon.
In Response, Sierra Club President Ramon Cruz Released the Following Statement:
“We are on the cusp of, for the first time ever, passing major climate-centered legislation that is essential for tackling this historic crisis at the speed and scale necessary. Any effort to block or undermine this progress threatens the health and safety of workers and communities nationwide, and is completely at odds with the demands of millions of Americans for immediate and bold climate action.
“We urge these members of Congress to consider the enormous significance of this moment and, instead of blocking or undermining essential progress, do everything they can to advance climate and environmental justice and support working families by voting to move the budget reconciliation process forward -- as every single Democratic Senator has already done.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.