Durbin Marks Earth Day In Senate Floor Speech
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke on the Senate floor to mark Earth Day, the planet’s largest annual civic event. Durbin discussed President Biden’s Earth Day Leaders Summit, the President’s pledge to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emission by at least 50 percent by 2030, and the importance of global collaboration to combat the impacts of climate change.
“With this Earth Day Leaders Summit, President Biden is sending the world a clear message. The United States is back and is ready to be a leader again in combating climate change,” Durbin said.
Durbin also discussed how the American Jobs Plan will invest in green energy, like wind and solar, electric vehicles and charging stations, and affordable, energy efficient housing. The American Jobs Plans also includes billions of dollars to retrain dislocated workers in fossil fuel industries for well-paying jobs in clean energy and other fields.
“I hope my colleagues will work with us and won't filibuster the President's efforts to move our economy forward in a dramatic way. We can't afford denial, defeatism, and we can't afford people who say it's too late to do anything about the climate disaster. We owe it to our children, grandchildren, and future generations to do everything in our power to save this planet from what is obviously coming our way,” Durbin continued.
Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.
Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.
Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.
Durbin has introduced two bills that would bring efficiency and innovation to the marketplace and create a more sustainable economy that works for the people and the planet.
The America’s Clean Future Fund Act would spur job creation by investing in a clean energy economy. The bill would achieve critical reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, facilitate a fair transition for workers from declining energy sectors, and renew America’s commitment to remain a world leader in technology, innovation, and a sustainable future.
Additionally, the Climate Change Resiliency Fund for America Act would authorize the U.S. Department of Treasury to issue from $200 million up to $1 billion in state and local tax-exempt “climate bonds” annually for any American to purchase and contribute to the government’s efforts to combat the impacts of climate change. The legislation would set up a system similar to the war bonds effort during World War II, when the government issued securities to pull money from the economy to control inflation and finance critically important government operations.
-30-