ICYMI: Congressman Garcia, Freshman Class President, Defends Climate Justice In Inaugural Legislative Push to Protect California’s Coast and Economy
Washington D.C.- This week, Congressman Robert Garcia (CA-42) spoke on the House floor to defend climate justice and California’s coast and economy. Congressman Garcia introduced an amendment that would block implementation of Republican bill H.R. 21 until the Secretary of Energy certifies to Congress that any leasing of federal land will not increase harmful greenhouse gas pollution. Congressman Garcia is a staunch defender of climate justice, California’s coasts, and our state’s coastal economies. Key excerpts of the speech can be found below:
“If we want our children to have a future, we MUST fight for climate justice. To my Republican colleagues from California — this bill could result in leasing federal land on the outer continental shelf, including our very own coasts here in California. Will you vote to endanger our beautiful coastline back home?” said Congressman Robert Garcia.
“This Republican bill puts polluters ahead of the American people. Our planet is in distress: storms are getting stronger, faster and more powerful, while wildfires take lives and destroy homes, and floods devastate crops and communities throughout our nation.”
This is the first amendment that Congressman Garcia has introduced, demonstrating his commitment to climate justice and defending California’s coastlines. This Republican legislation would block President Biden’s widely successful program of releases from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve unless the federal government works to increase the amount of federal land, including in coastal waters, available for oil and gas extraction. It is worth noting that gas prices are now at a 15-month low thanks to President Biden’s use of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve which provided breathing room for American families.
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