Senate Climate Solutions Caucus Members Announced

WASHINGTON, D.C., NOV. 7, 2019 — The newly formed Senate Climate Solutions Caucus announced its membership this week. Joining the caucus co-founders Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN) and Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) are: 

• Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO)
• Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
• Sen. Angus King (I-ME)
• Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
• Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT)
• Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)

“We’re excited to see the members of this group announced, and we look forward to supporting the group as they work to find common ground on bipartisan climate solutions,” said Mark Reynolds, Executive Director of Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL). 

“CCL volunteers who live in these senators’ states are particularly grateful,” Reynolds added. “Climate change is already affecting them, and any climate solutions will affect them too. By joining this bipartisan caucus, the senators are making sure their constituents are represented in this important discussion.”

Members of the group appeared on CBS This Morning to discuss their decision to join the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus. “It’s real. We’ve got to take action,” Sen. Romney said. “It’s chemistry and physics. I’m not going to deny that,” Sen. Braun added.⠀

The host asked, “Have all of you seen changes in your own states?” Senator Coons replied, “Absolutely. It’s striking how much it’s impacting everything.” Sen. Shaheen listed several industries in her state, from winter skiing to maple syrup, that are already being harmed by climate change.

These additions to the Senate Climate Solutions Caucus also give the group a noteworthy geographic footprint. Sen. Braun represents the agriculture-rich state of Indiana; Sen. Murkowski comes from the rapidly warming state of Alaska; Sen. Bennet brings the concerns of mountainous Colorado; Sen. Graham represents South Carolina, a coastal state; and so on. The composition of this caucus shows that all parts of the U.S., with different geographies and different economies, have a stake in solving climate change.

CCL is asking you not to ask your Senators to join this caucus at this time as the current members prefer to keep this as a small caucus. It is great to let your Senator know that it exists and that you are excited about Senators working together to make climate a bridge issue. For more information see The Senate Climate Solutions Caucus training page.

“Our caucus seeks to take the politics out of this important issue. Instead, members will commit to an honest dialogue, through which we can develop solutions that solidify American environmental leadership, promote American workers, and make meaningful progress on protecting our environment,” Sens. Coons and Braun wrote in an op-ed in The Hill. The eight-member group has already had its first meeting, joining CEOs on Tuesday to discuss federal climate policy. They are also slated to make an appearance on CBS This Morning on Thursday.

Take Action on the Senate Climate Solutions Caucus

While we want the caucus members to feel our love, please do not call or send letters to their offices unless you are a constituent.

• If you’re a constituent of a member, you can email or call to thank them.
• All CCL supporters can tweet your thanks to the members of the caucus.

You can also write LTEs, and share CCL’s social media on the topic. Join our Social Media Action Team for ongoing updates and opportunities to take action.