MEMO: Democrats Listened to the American People, Becoming the Party of Climate Action
Democratic unity comes at a crucial policy moment with a critical midterm election lurking just around the corner. The last time a Democratic majority in both chambers of Congress debated climate legislation with a member of their party in the White House was in 2009. And looking back it is clear that history is not repeating itself: 2021 is not 2009. In 2009, the ‘Blue Dog Caucus’ didn’t support cap & trade, in fact, most voted no. People remember the summer of 2009 for the rise of the Tea Party and a coordinated, intense opposition to President Obama. In 2021, the summer was dominated by demands for immediate climate action as millions of people suffered through extreme weather. The Build Back Better agenda came into August popular with the public, and left August just as popular.
