Climate Change

Floor Speech

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Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, on climate, I am pleased to share that the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works did something amazing and groundbreaking yesterday. It passed the first ever climate title in a transportation reauthorization bill.

Thanks to the Senate Democrats on the committee and to particularly Ranking Member Carper's hard work, the highway bill actually includes $10 billion that will be dedicated to climate-focused programs and policies in order to reduce emissions and improve the resiliency of our transportation infrastructure to climate change and natural disasters. It includes funds for States to reduce carbon emissions, support for electric and alternative-fuel vehicles, reductions in emissions from ports and roadways, and investments in climate-resistant infrastructure.

Less than a year ago, I said, in moving forward, the Democrats would demand that climate change be addressed in any infrastructure bill. This bill, with its $10 billion investment in climate, is a product of that demand. This will be the first time serious money has been included in an infrastructure package to fight climate change, but it certainly will not be the last.

The clock is ticking when it comes to climate change. We need to make progress whenever we can and as quickly as we can. If the Republican leader will not bring legislation to the floor, the Democrats will be prepared to take the lead and fight for climate progress at every opportunity we get. That is precisely what this $10 billion climate investment in the highway bill represents. Again, I thank Senator Carper for his leadership, his skill, and his persistence in getting it done.

Protecting our country and the world from the threat of climate change is no less than a moral obligation. When we return from the recess, the Democrats will continue to look for more opportunities to make progress on climate change.

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