Weekly Briefing: Update On H.R. 2307 - 40 Cosponsors Reflect Diversity
April 28, 2021
Diversity is one of Citizens’ Climate Lobby’s core values as we “seek out, support, and elevate people whose voices may not have been fully heard.” It’s been very gratifying, therefore, to see diversity reflected in the members of Congress who are cosponsoring the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, CCL’s preferred climate legislation.
Introduced April 1 by Rep. Ted Deutch (FL-22), the bill now has 40 cosponsors. Six of those cosponsors are in the Congressional Black Caucus, eight in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, 13 in the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (including Chairwoman Rep. Judy Chu, CA-27, pictured above), and 34 in the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus.
Explaining why she supports a price on carbon, Rep. Barbara Lee (CA-17), a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, said, “Taxing carbon really is the most effective way to reduce carbon emissions, while providing the needed resources which we need to address the costs of unchecked carbon. Carbon taxes will offset the massive societal costs of unchecked carbon emissions, and I think we should support it."
Check out our latest blog to see all the cosponsors who are members of these caucuses and read some of the things they’ve said about climate change and carbon pricing.
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In other news this week:
Bipartisan climate conversation: At 11 a.m. ET this Thursday (April 29), the Climate Solutions Foundation is hosting a discussion with Republican and Democratic members of Congress about ways to work together to solve climate change. Speakers include Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Mike Braun (R-IN) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). Find out more and register here to attend.
Growing Climate Solutions Act on fast track: Introduced on April 20 with broad bipartisan support, the bill to help farmers and foresters access carbon credit markets was passed just two days later in the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee. “This brings us one step closer to providing more opportunities for farmers and foresters to lead in addressing the climate crisis,” Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), chair of the committee, said in a press release.
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Take action this week:
If you have a little time: Check out our latest Instagram reel in which “President Biden” hears the various reasons why a price on carbon needs to be included in his proposal to address climate change. Like and comment on the reel or share it to your Instagram story.
If you have more time: Join our webinar with Sierra Club National Campaign Director Mary Ann Hitt, who contributed her own chapter to the book “All We Can Save.” Hosted by CCL’s Book Study Action Team, the webinar is at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on May 5. Learn more and add to your own calendar.
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This week on the CCL blog
The Black Birder movement: On the latest episode of Citizens’ Climate Radio, Tykee James, Government Affairs Coordinator for the National Audubon Society, talks about the creation of Black Birders Week — coming up at the end of May — which was created to bring more visibility to a thriving community of Black birdwatchers. Read more.
Businesses see value of carbon price: CCL recently hosted the Business Advocates for Carbon Pricing conference, an event for business owners, many of whom have endorsed the Energy Innovation Act. “Business support is critical to that policy’s success,” said CCL’s Senior Business Relations Representative Kyle Kammien. The aim of the event was to help business leaders become advocates for carbon fee and dividend. Read more.
Postcards to the president: In a campaign to let President Biden know about the effectiveness and popularity of carbon pricing, CCLers have sent hundreds of postcards to the White House. See what some of them had to say in this post. Read more.
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