ICYMI: E&C Republicans Have Realistic, Innovative Climate Solutions

Statement

This week, House Democrats put forth their "Moving Forward Act,' yet another partisan messaging exercise with radical policies that has no chance of becoming law. Democratic leaders who led the bill deemed it "the application of the principles of the Green New Deal."

As Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Greg Walden said after the floor vote, "Instead of working with Republicans to find bipartisan solutions that can actually become law and improve our nation's infrastructure, Democrats have put forth yet another partisan messaging exercise without even consulting Republicans on the Energy and Commerce Committee."

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has already made it clear that this bill will not be voted on in the Senate, so what's House Democrats' motive behind consistently bringing forth these extreme, partisan bills?

While Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans continue to come to the table ready to work with Democrats, this week several members introduced bills that would modernize our energy infrastructure so we strengthen U.S. energy security, promote the use of clean energy, and cut federal red tape hindering the deployment of energy innovation.

ClearPath Action Executive Director applauded this effort, saying "these clean energy leaders on the Energy and Commerce Committee want to ensure that our federal response to economic recovery includes energy independence, immediate clean energy job opportunities and long-term benefits for all Americans." In particular, they highlighted clean energy benefits that would result from the Hydropower Clean Energy Future Act by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), the Strengthening American Nuclear Competitiveness Act by Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH), and the Nuclear Licensing Efficiency Act by Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL).

Even CNN recently pointed out the need for energy innovation to ensure climate goals are met.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us that we cannot permanently shut down our economy. Instead, through innovation, we can revive our economy and address climate change. As Rep. Walden wrote in an op-ed for Fox News, "we have learned during these unprecedented times that the American people are resilient. We need policies that can bring relief and results -- and shutting down our economy long-term cannot be one of them."

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