Creation of Senate Democrats’ Special Committee on the Climate Crisis a Helpful Step

"Climate change is a serious threat to our economy, our health, and our children's future. Solving it will require bipartisan support and ideas from across the political spectrum. Senate Democrats have taken an important step by establishing the Special Committee on the Climate Crisis to focus on this issue. We look forward to working with Senator Schatz and the other members of the committee in the search for effective, efficient policies to cut pollution as much as the best science tells us is necessary.

"Senators on both sides of the aisle have acknowledged the reality of climate change. We urge members of the Special Committee to work with those Republicans who have brought forward productive ideas for addressing this crisis. Moving our country to 100 percent clean energy, spurring innovation, and reducing pollution will require the best ideas from everyone willing to join in this effort – and passing effective, durable legislation means working toward policies that can gain broad support."

• Elizabeth Gore, Senior Vice President, Political Affairs, Environmental Defense Fund