STAND STRONG FOR CLIMATE: Congress Urged to Defend Climate and Clean Energy Progress
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JANUARY 16, 2025
Contact: Gabrielle Levy, Glevy@cacampaign.org, (562) 673-6974
STAND STRONG FOR CLIMATE: Congress Urged to Defend Climate and Clean Energy Progress
111 Members of Congress, 460 local leaders, 229 organizations, and 450,000 individuals have called on Congress to reject Trump’s anti-environmental agenda.
WASHINGTON–Climate and clean energy investments are creating jobs, lowering prices, and cleaning up our air and water. Undoing these programs would have negative health, economic, and environmental consequences for millions of Americans and our environment. As a new president prepares to take office, Members of Congress are preparing to battle the Trump administration’s radical anti-environmental agenda.
At a Capitol Hill press conference today, lawmakers urged their colleagues in Congress to stand strong for climate and clean energy progress, vowing to oppose administrative and legislative attacks to claw back investments and standards that are protecting lives, creating jobs, and slashing climate pollution. The Members unveiled a letter signed by 111 Members calling for opposition to climate and clean energy rollbacks. They also highlighted the support of approximately 450,000 individuals, 229 organizations, and more than 460 local elected officials and community leaders for existing climate and clean energy policies.
The Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provide historic funding for climate and clean energy investments. Under the Trump administration, these laws are at risk of being rolled back – jeopardizing significant economic, health, and climate progress achieved in recent years.
“Every district has a story to tell about how federal funding has helped them grow job opportunities, spur new economic development, and invest in clean energy, manufacturing, and technology. If we really want to lower prices and create good-paying jobs for Americans, we need to double down on the proven work that we’re doing, not go back on it,” said Rep. Mike Levin, D-Calif. “That’s why I’m so grateful to my colleagues here today – and to our over 100 colleagues who joined us in writing to Speaker Johnson and Leader Jeffries – for fighting for investments in combatting climate change. I’m determined to defend the progress we’ve already made, and heading into this new Congress, I’ll keep working side by side with my colleagues to secure more investments that will help ensure clean air and water, livable communities, and a healthy planet.”
“The costly climate crisis demands ambitious, consumer-driven policies that lower bills for working families while protecting clean air and water” said Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Florida. “I am proud to join my colleagues this Congress to defend our clean energy investments and protect Americans from climate-fueled extreme weather and pollution.”
“Climate change is a clear and present danger to our health, our wellbeing, and to communities across the country,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.). “We’ve seen its impacts in the hurricanes and wildfires that have taken lives, destroyed homes, and left us to pick up the pieces in recent years. Although the incoming administration will come in with the support of Big Oil and massive polluters, it’s critical that we continue to Stand Strong for Climate no matter what they throw at us and work to bolster the progress we’ve made. I will continue to oppose any efforts to move us toward dirty energy sources, expensive fossil fuel projects, and a polluted future. This road won’t be easy, but I’m proud of how unified Democrats are behind this issue, and we’re ready to fight back and protect our climate.”
“If America wants to continue to be the home of opportunity, innovation, and the strongest economy in the world, we must expand, not scale back, our fight against climate change,” said Rep. Scott Peters (D-Calif.). “Investing in clean energy, a robust grid, and climate resilience will bring us returns many times greater, help reduce future spending, and cement America’s leadership in the world.”
“If the incoming administration follows through on its rhetoric and cuts off investments in clean energy and rolls back limits on climate and air pollution, we will all pay a tremendous price,” said Margie Alt, director of the Climate Action Campaign. “That’s why people across the country are calling on Congress to stand strong to protect policies that are delivering hundreds of thousands of good-paying clean energy jobs, cutting the climate pollution responsible for the increasingly devastating extreme weather impacts, and cleaning up our air and water to keep our families healthy. We are proud to be among the nearly 230 groups working together to hold the line and we applaud the more-than 100 Members of Congress who today are committing to defend the progress in combating the climate crisis and making our country safer, healthier, and more resilient.”
About CAC
Climate Action Campaign (CAC) is a vibrant coalition of advocacy organizations working together to drive ambitious, durable federal action to cut carbon pollution, address the climate crisis, advance environmental justice, and accelerate the transition to clean energy. Our goal is to reduce carbon pollution and accelerate the transition to clean energy through policies focused on climate, justice, and jobs and expanding opportunity for all.
