Van Hollen Statement on Pope Francis' Encyclical on Climate Change

Statement

Today Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen, Co-Chair of the Bicameral Task Force on Climate Change, released the following statement on Pope Francis' encyclical calling for swift action on climate change:

"I welcome Pope Francis' overture to people of all nations and faiths to unite behind the effort to combat climate change. As one of humanity's greatest collective challenges, addressing climate change requires a global effort with strong leadership. The dangerous impacts of climate change disproportionately fall on the shoulders of vulnerable populations who are least empowered to prepare and act. Pope Francis rightly points out that those who are fortunate enough to be in the position to act should feel morally compelled to do so.

"The gridlock in Congress has made action on this critical issue difficult, but I applaud President Obama for forging ahead where possible. The United States must lead on this issue. I've offered legislation that would achieve necessary greenhouse gas reductions while boosting the purchasing power of families across the country. Partisan politics must not stand in the way of protecting future generations. Our climate is in crisis, and the Pope's voice adds significant weight to the consensus that we must act quickly to mitigate the threat."

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