SEEC Condemns House Republican Attack on the American Economy

Washington, D.C. – The leaders of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), including Co-Chairs Reps. Doris Matsui, Mike Quigley, and Paul Tonko, Vice Chairs Reps. Don Beyer, Matt Cartwright, Sean Casten, Chellie Pingree, and Katie Porter, and Chair Emeritus Rep. Gerry Connolly, released the following statement in response to the passage of H.R. 2811, the Republican-led debt ceiling bill that holds the American economy hostage to pursue the Republican anti-climate agenda.

"Protecting the economic well-being of American families and businesses should be the primary objective of the U.S. Congress. Today, House Republicans have chosen to do the opposite.

"Raising the debt ceiling is critical for the health of the American economy. That's why Congress has done so for decades under both Democratic and Republican control. Failure to do so would inhibit the Federal government from serving the American people, whether that's through regular Social Security checks or the benefits we owe our servicemembers and veterans. A default would dramatically weaken the U.S. dollar, trigger international financial instability, and manufacture a crisis that will ultimately impact every corner of the American economy.

"As if that were not enough, House Republicans decided to attack not only our economic stability but also the future investments in clean energy jobs delivered through the historic Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). In the less-than-a-year since IRA passed, we've already seen massive amounts of private investment flowing towards building a clean energy future. This will create millions of jobs and reduce energy prices for all Americans, regardless of political stripe. By voting for this bill, Republicans have decided that they support wiping out millions of new, good-paying jobs in their own states.

"SEEC stands with the American workers who are leading the charge to build a cleaner, healthier economy and paving the way for the U.S. to become a global leader in clean technology. We will never stop fighting for a bright future in which all Americans prosper from a healthy economy and planet. We encourage our Republican colleagues to dare to do the same."