Senate Democrats’ Special Committee on the Climate Crisis | Senate Democratic Leadership (original) (raw)

About

The purpose of the Senate Democrats’ Special Committee on the Climate Crisis is to examine how climate change is affecting the country and the planet and to mobilize action and support for bold climate solutions.

Every state in the union is seeing the effects of climate change.

It affects every industry, every business, and every American. We cannot wait for Republicans in the Senate to accept — let alone propose solutions to fix — climate change in a real way. That is why this Special Committee is an important step on the path to solutions in the U.S. Senate.

We need ambitious actions that are on scale with the problem,

and that is what this Special Committee will review. The Special Committee will investigate, hold hearings, and issue findings on (1) how inaction on the climate crisis is harming the economic and national security interests of the U.S. and (2) how acting on the climate crisis presents significant opportunities for jobs, public health, and the economy.

The Special Committee’s duties are to:

• Prioritize oversight and investigation of the efforts of special interests to foster climate denial
• Convene meetings and conduct outreach with frontline communities impacted by climate change, as well as experts from the environmental, national security, and finance and economic development communities
• Hold a series of hearings through 2019 and 2020, including expert witnesses and testimonials

Members

Hawaii

Senator Brian Schatz

Wisconsin

Senator Tammy Baldwin

Colorado

Senator Michael Bennet

Nevada

Senator Catherine Cortez Masto

Illinois

Senator Tammy Duckworth

New Mexico

Senator Martin Heinrich

Massachusetts

Senator Ed Markey

Oregon

Senator Jeff Merkley

Minnesota

Senator Tina Smith

Rhode Island

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse

The Case for Climate Action: Building a Clean Economy for the American People

The climate movement belongs to everyone who wants a strong economy, more and better jobs, a safe and healthy neighborhood, energy security, and an overall better quality of life. The coalition for climate action can include all Americans because everyone stands to gain from this new future. Now it is time to put our coalition to work and pass bold climate solutions.

The Senate Democrats' Special Committee on the Climate Crisis' report provides a framework for Congress to finally do what is necessary to build the clean energy future we all deserve.