House Bill Exemplifies Common Sense Cooperation Needed to Address Climate Change

(Washington, D.C – May 3, 2017) A bipartisan coalition in the U.S. House of Representatives today introduced the Climate Solutions Commission Act, showing that representatives from both parties are working together to finding solutions that reduce pollution and address the threat of climate change.

The bill was introduced by Rep. John Delaney (MD-06), Rep. John Faso (NY-19), Rep. Carlos Curbelo (FL-26), Rep. Ted Deutch (FL-22), Rep. Patrick Meehan (PA-7), Rep. Alan Lowenthal (CA-47), Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-8), Rep. Scott Peters (CA-52), Rep. Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10), Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27), and Rep. Thomas Suozzi (NY-3). It would create a bipartisan commission to identify a diverse set of economically viable climate policies and report to Congress on its recommendations.

“This bill demonstrates bipartisan recognition that climate change is a serious issue, and one that requires innovative thinking from across the political spectrum,” said Elizabeth Thompson, president of EDF Action. “It sends a strong signal that bipartisan cooperation on climate change is possible and necessary. These members of Congress deserve praise for their leadership.”

The bill also outlines that accelerated efforts to address the consequences of a changing climate for the sake future generations should seek to use greenhouse gas reduction targets guided by the latest science, and directs the Government Accountability Office to study current government programs and research that can further assist in reaching the nation’s climate goals.