Two congressmen from South Florida announced they were teaming up to launch the Climate Solutions Caucus as they looked to take climate change out of the partisan arena.
U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., and U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla., will serve as the initial co-chairs of the new caucus which they noted is the “first bipartisan task force on climate change" in the House.
“As co-chairs of the Climate Solutions Caucus, Reps. Deutch and Curbelo will hold events aimed at educating members on the threats that climate change poses to our economy, security, environment, and infrastructure and exploring bipartisan, economically-viable solutions to these challenges," their offices noted on Monday.
The New York Times reported on the new caucus’ mission over the weekend. “The caucus will serve as an organization to educate members on economically-viable options to reduce climate risk and protect our nation’s economy, security, infrastructure, agriculture, water supply and public safety,” the new caucus noted about its mission.
“I am proud to serve as a co-chair of the Climate Solutions Caucus, the first bipartisan caucus to address climate change in the U.S. House of Representatives," Curbelo said. "By exploring policy options that address the impacts of a changing climate we can effectively mitigate the inevitable effects it will have on our environment, as well as our economy. I commend my fellow co-chair, Congressman Ted Deutch for his unrelenting commitment to environmental stewardship. I look forward to working with him to ensure the protection of Florida’s communities and our nation as a whole.”
"In recent years, conversations about climate change have stalled amid a partisan climate in Washington, and Congressman Curbelo and I agree it's time to turn the page," Deutch said. "The launch of the Climate Solutions Caucus sends a powerful message not just to our colleagues in the House but to the American people that a bipartisan dialogue on climate change is actually possible. I believe there's a real appetite in Congress for bipartisan solutions on climate change, and I look forward to working with Congressman Curbelo to bring more members from across the country and across the aisle on board."
The House Safe Climate Caucus, chaired by U.S. Rep. Alan Lowenthal, D-Calif., is well established with more than 50 members but they are all Democrats. Deutch is a member of that caucus as are Florida Democrats U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor, Lois Frankel and Patrick Murphy.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
