Providing for Consideration of H.R. Climate Action Now Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. WELCH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 9, the Climate Action Now Act.

Climate change is here, and it is worth highlighting some of the impacts that are underway.

This year, we have seen record flooding in the Midwest, unprecedented wildfires in the West, and record temperatures across the country.

In Vermont--and talk about economic impacts--the ski season is getting shorter. In one study, it has noted that, even under the most optimistic climate change models, all the ski areas in southern New England will no longer be economically viable by 2040. That would be thousands of jobs melting away as a result of climate change.

We have had 16 disasters in 2017 with damage exceeding $1 billion, spending $306 billion on weather-related disasters that year.

Climate change is a priority for young people and local officials. It now must become a priority for Congress.

The Climate Action Now Act takes an important step in this direction by keeping us--or getting us back into the Paris climate agreement and not taken out by the action of a single person. This bill is just the start of fulfilling our obligations and our opportunity to slow climate change.

Now, some folks are fearful about the economic consequences of addressing climate change, but a confident nation faces its problems; it doesn't deny them. It is in facing these problems that we are actually going to create jobs, not lose jobs.

So, Madam Speaker, I commend Representative Castor for her leadership on this legislation. I urge my colleagues to support this bill as the beginning of undertaking the opportunity that we have economically to build a stronger and safer environment.

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