F O R I M M E D I A T E R E L E A S E
WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 2016 – The formation of the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives is a big step forward in efforts to enact efficient and effective legislation that addresses climate change, Citizens’ Climate Lobby said Wednesday.
The purpose of the new caucus, which will be co-chaired by Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) and Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL), is to “explore policy options that address the impacts, causes, and challenges of our changing climate,” according to a document filed with the Committee on House Administration.
“The Caucus will serve as an organization to educate members on economically-viable options to reduce climate risk and protect our nation’s economy, security, infrastructure, agriculture, water supply and public safety,” the document said.
“We’ve said all along that climate change is too big a problem for one party to tackle, that we need everyone coming to the table to work on a national policy,” said Mark Reynolds, Executive Director of Citizens’ Climate Lobby. “With the formation of the Climate Solutions Caucus, Republicans and Democrats can finally engage in a serious conversation to answer the question: What should we do?”
Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL)
Rep. Curbelo has emerged as one of the leading Republican voices on climate change. Last September, along with 10 other Republicans, he co-sponsored a resolution – H. Res 424, introduced by Rep. Chris Gibson (R-NY) – that acknowledged the impact of climate change and called upon the House to work on economically-viable solutions.
“I am proud to serve as a Co-Chair of the Climate Solutions Caucus, the first bipartisan caucus to address climate change in the U.S. House of Representatives,” Rep. Curbelo said. “By exploring policy options that address the impacts of a changing climate we can effectively mitigate the inevitable effects it will have on our environment, as well as our economy.
“I commend my fellow Co-Chair, Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-21), for his unrelenting commitment to environmental stewardship. I look forward to working with him to ensure the protection of Florida’s communities and our nation as a whole.”
Citizens’ Climate Lobby is a nonprofit organization empowering volunteers to generate the political will for a livable world. With 265 chapters in the U.S., CCL advocates for Carbon Fee and Dividend, which would place a steadily-rising fee on the carbon dioxide content of fuels and return all the revenue from that fee to households as equal payments. Because of its market-based emphasis, this approach is embraced by a number of leading conservatives such as former Secretary of State George Shultz.
CONTACT: Steve Valk, , 404-769-7461
