Chuck Schumer, D-NY, Senate Majority Leader Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Chuck Schumer, Senate Majority Leader, stressed the "horrendous consequences" of failing to address the climate crisis.
He stated that both reconciliation and infrastructure bills were crucial in helping to improve the climate.
He said that if both bills are passed, the US would be on track to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2030.
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The House approved Tuesday's $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation bill, which included provisions to address the climate crisis. This was a victory for Democrats. These provisions, along the infrastructure bill, are a major step forward in combating climate change, according to Chuck Schumer, Senate Majority Leader.
Schumer sent a Dear Colleague note on Wednesday, applauding both reconciliation and infrastructure bills being passed in the House. He also detailed how those bills would help President Joe Biden achieve his climate goals. He wrote specifically that based on an analysis of the combined effect of these bills, the country would be on track to reduce carbon emission to around 45% below 2005 levels by 2030. They will also help achieve Biden's goal of reducing emissions by half by 2030.
Schumer stated, "The bottom line: We have very limited time to prevent the worst outcomes for our children or grandchildren." "But, if we act now and are boldly, we can mitigate climate change's worst effects and create a 21st-century clean energy economy.
Schumer pointed out two policies from the reconciliation bill that he believes will assist in Biden's goals: The Clean Electricity Payment Program (CEP) and the Senate's Clean Energy and Vehicle Tax Package (Senate). His analysis revealed that these two policies account for almost two-thirds the total emissions reductions in both bills. He believes they are crucial in mitigating climate crisis.
The United Nations published a disturbing report two weeks ago that stated some of the effects of global warming will be irreversible for centuries and millennia. This only strengthened Democrats' urgency to address the climate crisis.
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Biden's primary issue in his presidential campaign was climate change. However, the bipartisan infrastructure agreement he made with a group senators - which cut more than half of Biden’s initial funding – stifled a number climate-related measures.
Many progressives are pushing for reconciliation to be passed prior to the infrastructure bill in order to ensure that climate measures are not neglected.
Insider reported last month that 133 House Democrats desired climate priorities to be included in the infrastructure bill or the reconciliation bill. This included investing in clean water and reducing carbon emissions. House Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jaipal stated that her position on the order in which the bills should pass "remains unchanged."
Jayapal stated in a statement that "as our members have made it clear for three months, they are integrally linked, and we will vote for the infrastructure bill only after passing the reconciliation bill."
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