Co-chairs Rep. Ted Deutch and Rep. Carlos Curbelo (seated left) convene a meeting of the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus (Photo by Jay Butera).
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON, D.C., May 21, 2018 — Citizens’ Climate Lobby today applauded a letter from members of the bipartisan House Climate Solutions Caucus that urges leaders of the Appropriations Committee to reject any provisions in the 2019 spending bill that would undermine efforts to combat climate change. The letter, signed by 34 caucus members, is led by co-chairs Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) and Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL).
“Curbelo has talked about using the caucus to ‘block and tackle’ legislation that’s bad for climate change, and this is a prime example of that strategy in action,” said Mark Reynolds, executive director of Citizens’ Climate Lobby. “This is another encouraging sign that Republicans and Democrats are willing to work together to preserve a livable climate.”
The letter was sent to House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ) and Ranking Member Nita Lowey (D-NY). In urging committee leaders to reject anti-climate provisions, caucus members said in the letter:
“Appropriations provisions and policy riders that prohibit or limit the use of funds to study initiatives to reduce climate change impacts, and prohibit or limit the use of funds to make our infrastructure more resilient to the impacts of climate change will make our country more prone to the damaging effects of climate change. We agree that provisions in the appropriations bills must advance our fight against climate change, not undermine progress.”
Commenting on the Appropriations letter, Danny Richter, CCL’s VP for Legislation and Research, said, “Bipartisan legislation is the only legislation that lasts. We’re excited and encouraged that these members of Congress are standing up together to make lasting climate protections more likely. Where else in Congress do you see this kind of cross-party collaboration on this issue?”
Convinced that a bipartisan approach is the best path forward on climate solutions, CCL has worked to increase the membership of the Climate Solutions Caucus, which added five new members last week. Next month, nearly 1,400 volunteers will gather in Washington for the 9th Annual Citizens’ Climate International Conference and Lobby Day. Constituents from across the country will meet with hundreds of congressional offices in an effort to bring Republicans and Democrats together on market-based solutions to climate change.
