Democrats are beginning to show support for a “Select Committee on a Green New Deal,” a proposal first introduced by New York Rep.-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Nine Democrats — a group made up of longtime congressmen and newly-elected lawmakers — have joined Democratic socialist Ocasio-Cortez’s demands for a special “Green New Deal” House committee that, if formed, would push a bevy of climate change legislation. The move indicates Ocasio-Cortez could be gaining strong influence among her party’s more progressive wing.
“In just one week, 10 members of Congress have issued their support for Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Select Committee for a Green New Deal. New supporters include Representatives John Lewis (GA-05) Joe Neguse (CO-02), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Carolyn Maloney (NY-12), Jose Serrano (NY-15), and Ayanna Pressley (MA-07). One thing is clear: the plan for a Green New Deal is catching fire in the Democratic Party,” read a Sunday statement from Varshini Prakash, the founder of Sunrise Movement, an environmentalist organization.
“For the first time in history, young people have shifted the conversation in the Democratic party to what is actually needed to save civilization as we know it – a Green New Deal to put millions of Americans to work transforming our economy and society away from fossil fuels in the next 12 years,” Prakash continued. – READ MORE