To Mark Earth Day, Van Hollen & Leading Environmentalists Push Innovative Plan to Combat Climate Change While Strengthening the Middle Class

Press Release

Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen and leading environmental groups will mark Earth Day tomorrow by pushing for passage of the Healthy Climate and Family Security Act, legislation that Congressman Van Hollen introduced to combat climate change while supporting a thriving middle class. Congressman Van Hollen is a leading supporter of congressional efforts to address global climate change, serving as Co-Chair of the Bicameral Task Force on Climate Change, Co-Chair the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus, and as a member of the Safe Climate Caucus and the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition. He has also been a leader in the fight to protect the Chesapeake Bay, serving as a founding co-chair of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Caucus and helping to secure funding for agricultural conservation programs that protect the bay.

Congressman Van Hollen said, "Rising tides, extended droughts, vanishing species, withering crops -- this is not the legacy I want to leave for our next generation. Fortunately, the United States of America has the power to lead the world into a new era of environmental protection and stewardship of our earth and climate. As the world's preeminent economic power, we not only have the ability and duty to lead the world to a healthy future, we also stand to benefit greatly from the jobs and economic growth that new innovations bring. To combat climate change while supporting economic growth and a thriving middle class, I've introduced the Healthy Climate and Family Security Act. It boosts the purchasing power of families in Maryland and across the country while achieving the reductions in greenhouse gas emissions necessary to address the economic and health risks of climate change. It's an effective plan that tackles two of the most pressing challenges we face as a country, and the kind of common sense idea we should rally behind on Earth Day."

Mike Tidwell, Director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, said, "On this Earth Day, the most important thing the Congress could do for the climate and for our country is to pass the Van Hollen Healthy Climate and Family Security Act. No other piece of legislation tackles climate change with the scientifically driven reductions in greenhouse gas emissions we need while actually improving the financial position of over 80 percent of American households. It's fair, transparent, and built to last. Congress should pass the Van Hollen bill now."

John Coequyt, Sierra Club Director of Federal and International Climate Campaigns, said, "The Sierra Club is proud to applaud Congressman Van Hollen's continued leadership to safeguard American communities from climate disruption and grow the American clean energy economy. It's about time Congress got to work tackling the climate crisis, and a great place to start would be by passing Congressman Van Hollen's Healthy Climate and Family Security Act."

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