Climate Solutions Caucus now has 20 members

The hope for meaningful progress on climate change legislation in Congress took another step forward this week with the addition of four members to the bipartisan House Climate Solutions Caucus, bringing the total to 20. In keeping with the two-by-two “Noah’s Ark” approach to membership, two Republicans and two Democrats are joining the caucus. The new members are Jim Himes (D-CT), Lee Zeldin (R-NY), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), and Mark Amodei (R-NV).

The caucus was launched in February under the leadership of Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) and Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL). Citizens’ Climate Lobby Senior Congressional Liaison Jay Butera played a key role in getting the caucus off the ground following a Republican-sponsored resolution on climate change introduced last year by Rep. Chris Gibson (R-NY). That resolution now has 15 GOP sponsors.

In a statement published by E&E News, Rep. Bonamici said, “Finding solutions will require all of our creativity, collaboration, and courage — but one thing we don’t need is partisanship.”

Rep. Amodei said, “In order to legislate effectively, Washington must have a willingness to have frank and honest discussions on the issues that affect us all.”

We have a special action page on CCL’s website for those wishing to tweet their appreciation to caucus members both new and old.

Why stop at 20 members? If you’d like to encourage your House member to join the Climate Solutions Caucus, we’ve created a special action page on CCL Community to help you send a message. The leaders of the caucus have asked that requests to join not be tied to supporting a price on carbon. Focus your message on the effects of climate change you’re seeing in your district and the need to set aside partisan differences to discuss solutions. You must be registered with CCL Community to access this action.