Climate Solutions Caucus welcomes Upton, Schakowsky

By Flannery Winchester

The Climate Solutions Caucus reached 68 members today, welcoming aboard Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) and Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL).

Ben Geman at Axios broke the news first thing this morning, writing:

“[Upton] is by far the most prominent and high-profile GOP lawmaker with jurisdiction over energy policy to join the 2-year-old House group. Upton, who has been in Congress for over 30 years, is currently chairman of the Energy subcommittee after serving the maximum three terms atop Energy and Commerce [from 2011 to 2017].”

On the Energy and Commerce committee, Upton said in a statement, “We’ve taken legislative action to lower emissions, keep electricity and energy prices low, and supported renewable hydropower and natural gas projects. We must continue to promote climate strategies that champion conservation, innovation, and competition.” He added, “Joining the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus is a tremendous opportunity to work across the aisle towards those goals.”

He joins the caucus with Democratic partner Rep. Janice Schakowsky. “Climate change is a real and growing threat,” Rep. Schakowsky said today. “The United States has a duty to face this problem head-on, taking bold action to combat what I see as one of the most crucial issues of our time. That’s why I’m so pleased today to announce that I will be joining the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus, where I will continue my work to protect our environment and keep our Great Lakes clean.”

At Citizens’ Climate Lobby, we’re excited to see Rep. Schakowsky and Rep. Upton come on board to the caucus. Rep. Upton, as one of the more senior Republicans in Congress, carries a great deal of influence with GOP members. “This is one more step to neutralize the partisan rhetoric surrounding climate change so that Congress can get down to enacting solutions,” said CCL Executive Director Mark Reynolds. “His support for a policy could give the green light to other Republicans.”

“Our volunteers in Kalamazoo have been meeting with Upton and generating support for him to join the caucus,” Reynolds added. “This is a great example of democracy in action. When citizens are engaged, things happen.”

Using CCL’s action tool, you can continue that citizen engagement by tweeting your thanks to Upton and Schakowsky for their leadership on this issue. You can also tweet to your own representative, asking them to join the Climate Solutions Caucus.