SEEC Condemns Republican-led Resolution on Carbon Pollution

Washington D.C. – Today SEEC Leadership, including Co-ChairsReps. Doris Matsui, Paul Tonko, and Gerry Connolly, andVice-Chairs Reps. Matt Cartwright, Alan Lowenthal, Mike Quigley, Chellie Pingree and Jared Polis released the following statement in response to the passage of H.Con.Res. 119, a Republican-led resolution expressing the sense of Congress that a tax on carbon pollution would be detrimental to the United States economy.

“Today Congressional Republicans led a resolution denouncing a growing movement to put a price on carbon pollution. Serious action on climate change is long overdue, but instead of discussing serious options for addressing it, this resolution tries to kill an idea before we’ve even analyzed possible details of it. This is simply another attempt by climate action opponents to make a case for delay. We’ve seen a parade of reasons: first many said climate change wasn’t happening, then the science wasn’t clean, then they argued it’d be dangerous for the United States to take action because China wouldn’t be reducing its emissions, and now, it’ll destroy the economy. All of these reasons are false. We know that inaction is what is too costly.

As a caucus that is supportive of a thoughtful dialogue on all serious ideas to address climate change, SEEC members opposed this resolution. We were disappointed to see this resolution pass and were still more disappointed to see it supported by a number of our Republican colleagues who have publicly committed to seeking out serious solutions on climate change. SEEC will continue to advocate for needed solutions to address climate change and are willing to work with any members who are serious about addressing this challenge.”