WASHINGTON — The Co-Chairs of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), Reps. Gerry Connolly, Doris Matsui, and Paul Tonko, along with the Chair of the New Democrat Coalition (NDC), Rep. Suzan DelBene and the Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), Rep. Pramila Jayapal, sent a letter to President Biden urging him to do everything in his power to reach a deal and sign into law as swiftly as possible a revised reconciliation package that includes the climate investments passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. These investments will be critical to tackling change, lowering energy costs for Americans during a time of rising prices, and ensuring true U.S. energy independence by transitioning to a clean energy economy.
The letter is signed by 175 members representing the wide ideological breadth of the House Democratic Caucus. It is signed by 13 Committee Chairs, 75 Members of SEEC including all 8 Members of SEEC Leadership, 73 members of the New Democrats Coalition, 89 Members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and all Democratic Members of the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis.
“As Congress and your Administration continue to work on policies to lower gas and fuel prices in the short-term, the House-passed reconciliation package includes the necessary climate investments to put the United States on the path to achieving your long-term vision of a clean economy,” wrote the Members. “The climate investments in the House-passed reconciliation package would provide the long-term antidote to both the energy crisis and the inflation crisis our nation currently faces. These investments would help transition all sectors of our economy to a clean future with good jobs and environmental justice at its heart – from our power grid to our transportation systems, our buildings to our industries, and our agriculture to our public lands and waters. Unfortunately, we no longer have the luxury of waiting if we want to prevent the worst consequences of climate change. We simply cannot fail to meet this moment.”
It follows on previous letters that similarly demonstrated this is a top priority for House Democrats, including a March 14th letter led by Representatives Sean Casten, Jamaal Bowman, and Nikema Williams along with 86 other members of Congress urging a restart of negotiations with climate at the center, and a January 31st letter led by Rep. Mike Levin along with 22 members of Congress in competitive districts demonstrating how important this issue was to their constituents.
The full text of the letter can be found here.
Related Files
- SEEC ND CPC Letter.pdf (4.1 MBs)
