Climate Action Now Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. TONKO. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for yielding, and I thank him for his leadership as chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Certainly, as chair of the Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change, I understand the prioritization that we need to make as a House with climate change. We are doing it with this caucus, with the Democratic Caucus. We have languished without a policy or hearings in the committee for quite some time and, finally, the Democrats are showing their forcefulness.

Global problems require global cooperation, and we accept this as a given when it comes to countless security, health, and economic challenges. And climate change will impact all of these areas, and more.

But global climate action will not succeed without America at the table, leading by example. Other nations understand this, as do thousands of United States cities, businesses, universities, and nonprofit organizations.

That is why the ``We Are Still In'' campaign was formed, and why its many members support this bill. The contributions of subnational actors can achieve two-thirds of our 2025 national commitment, but we need Federal action to fill the gap.

President Trump has made it clear that he does not appreciate the previous administration's policies to achieve America's Paris target. Therefore, Mr. President, we have a very fair question of you. What is your plan?

Our colleagues on the other side of the aisle have taken the opposite approach, throwing up their hands and saying this bill is a waste of time because the President would veto it.

I could not disagree more. This vote will show the American people and the international community who in Washington understands and acknowledges the threat of climate change; who recognizes the importance of building global cooperation to address it; and who will work to enact the policies that will result in a safer, healthier planet, a planet that will be safer for future generations.

Based on the President's statements, the answer is clearly, not him. And the clock is ticking.

I hope next time we are on the floor, we will be debating concrete solutions that will lead to meaningful emissions reductions and accelerate the clean energy transition. We can start that process today by stating in clear and resounding fashion: We Are Still in. Support this bill.

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