ICYMI: SENATE PASSAGE OF THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT MET WITH SUPPORT FROM CLIMATE, LABOR, YOUTH, AND BUSINESS LEADERS
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WASHINGTON, DC — On Sunday, Senate Democrats passed the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest-ever investment in climate action and a staple of the party’s agenda. The legislation came not a moment too soon with the midterms around the corner and much of the nation still reeling from climate-driven floods, wildfires, and extreme heat. The bill’s passage was heralded on front pages across the country, and it drew praise from leaders in the labor, youth, and climate movements, as well as energy and policy experts and elected officials in the states.
Here’s what they are saying:
Yesterday’s front-page headlines:
- Washington Post, “Senate passes key climate, health bill. Sweeping goals were long stalled: Biden agenda gets boost as Democrats unite.”
- Wall Street Journal, “Senate Passes Climate, Health Measure: Party-line support for key parts of Biden’s agenda sets up House vote late in the week.”
- Los Angeles Times, “Senate passes broad climate, healthcare, and tax legislation: The bill, a big win for Democrats, will allow Medicare to negotiate drug costs. The House may vote this week.”
- Wisconsin State Journal, “Democrats see finish line: Smaller plan targets warming, drug costs and corporate taxes.”
- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Senate Dems approve sweeping bill: climate, health care included in legislation. Some in Pa. could save on drugs and premiums.”
Labor Leaders:
Cecil E. Roberts, United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), International President
“We are very pleased that Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) were able to come to an agreement on legislation that includes full and permanent funding of the excise tax that funds the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund…”
“We are also pleased to see that provisions were included in the IRA that will extend tax credits to renewable energy supply chain manufacturers that build plants in the coalfields, which will be a big step toward providing good jobs to these distressed communities. The enhanced tax credits for carbon capture and storage included in the legislation will also be a boon for coalfield jobs. We urge swift passage of this legislation by Congress.”
Liz Shuler, AFL-CIO, President
“Today the Senate passed legislation that will transform the lives of working families at every level, and we urge the House of Representatives to pass this bill swiftly and send it to President Biden’s desk.”
Mary Kay Henry, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), International President
“The #InflationReductionAct passed by the Senate today is a game-changer for working people across America struggling with rising healthcare and prescription drug costs and the devastating impacts of climate change.”
Youth Leaders:
Alexandra Villasenor, Earth Uprising, Founder & Executive Director
“Today in climate politics, has been an exercise in agreeing with multiple and sometimes opposing viewpoints at the same time. It’s complicated. It’s challenging. It’s also how you participate in this work.”
Varshini Prakash, Sunrise, Co-Founder and Executive Director
“Finally, a climate bill has passed the Senate. This isn’t the bill my generation deserves but it is the one we can get. It must pass to give us a fighting chance at a livable world. Youth leaders to Congress – Pass this bill, then get back to work.”
Olivia Julianna, Gen Z For Change, Youth Activist and Strategist
“The Inflation Reduction Act will be remembered as one of the most significant pieces of legislation Democrats have ever enacted. Let’s remember that in November.”
Climate Advocates:
Bill McKibben, 350.org, Founder
“34 years and 40 days ago, Jim Hansen broke the news of global warming to the U.S. Senate. Finally, today, they act. It’s late, it’s deeply compromised, and it’s also a great victory for all who have fought so long and hard. Such thanks to all of you, and on to the next battles.
Ben Beachy, BlueGreen Alliance, Vice President for Industrial Policy
“With the $ we got, we have a fighting shot at a livable climate, over 9M good jobs, and a chance to redress structural injustices. We also gain better footing to keep fighting for the full suite of investments our communities need.”
Jim Kessler, Third Way Kessler, Executive Vice President for Policy
‘Beaten, battered, and left for dead by half the political class in Washington,
@ThirdWayTweet salutes the Senate passage of the Inflation Reduction Act.”
Jamal Raad, Evergreen Action, Executive Director
“This is a historic moment for climate action, and a turning point in American climate policy. Today, the Senate passed the largest climate investment in history — by far. This is the end of a decades-long road to pass a climate bill, but it’s only the beginning of the road towards achieving the greenhouse gas pollution reductions that science demands and building a better future for us all.” (Evergreen Twitter here and here)
Rev. Mitch Hescox, Evangelical Environmental Network
“We celebrate this historic start and thank President Biden for his leadership as well as Majority Leader Schumer and Senators Manchin, Wyden, Carper, Stabenow, Hickenlooper, and Coons, their staff, and everyone who has worked to bring our country to this point. EEN will continue to work to do even more to secure a safe and healthy future for our children and for God’s creation. (EEN Twitter)
Energy Leaders:
“Senate passage of The Inflation Reduction Act is nothing short of historic. Its billions of investment in climate solutions will help secure a cleaner, healthier, and more prosperous future for the U.S. and world. We urge the House to swiftly send it to the President’s desk.”
Heather Zichal, American Clean Power, CEO
“This is the vote heard around the world. It puts America on a path to creating 550,000 new clean energy jobs while reducing economy-wide emissions 40% by 2030. This is a generational opportunity for clean energy after years of uncertainty and delay. This unprecedented investment in clean energy will supercharge America’s clean energy economy and keep the United States within striking distance of our climate goals.”
Abigail Ross Hopper, Solar Energy Industries Association, President and CEO
“Today is a monumental day for America’s clean energy progress and global climate leadership. With the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in the Senate, solar and storage companies are one step closer to having the business certainty they need to make the long-term investments that decarbonize the electric grid and create millions of new career opportunities in cities and towns across the country.”
State Elected Leaders:
Lauren Kuby, Former Vice Mayor of Tempe, Arizona
“Climate can’t wait. Confronting the climate emergency and reducing carbon pollution is critical to communities across Arizona. This historic legislation will help our cities and towns reduce the threats of a historic drought, extreme heat, wildfires, and dirty air. The Inflation Reduction Act will protect our agricultural communities and lay the groundwork for the next generation of Arizona jobs in rural and urban areas alike. Arizona is one of the sunniest states in the nation and has a bright and clean future ahead. Simply put, this landmark bill will empower Arizona’s transition to a clean energy economy.”
Howard Watts III, Nevada State Representative, Chair of the NV Assembly Committee on Natural Resources
“Nevada has some of the most severe climate impacts and some of the greatest clean energy potential in the nation. With the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, Nevadans will see even more good jobs created and even more utility savings from the switch to affordable and renewable power, leading to a more resilient economy and putting us on a path to reach our climate pollution reduction goals. Best of all, we’ll do this while leveling the playing field for communities that have historically been left behind and help pay for it by updating outdated oil and gas leasing practices – a cause that both Senators Cortez Masto and Rosen have championed. I thank them for their leadership and the Senate for passing this historic investment in our nation’s future.”
Chris Larson, Wisconsin State Senator
“With such a polarized and closely divided Congress, you might expect that the only policies able to pass would be inconsequential nibbles at the edges of our most pressing problems. The Inflation Reduction Act is further proof that Democrats are more than capable of attacking our biggest challenges head-on. With a historic investment in clean energy and bold prescription drug and healthcare reform, Pres. Biden and Democrats in Congress are poised to make meaningful changes that will benefit millions of Americans, including our most vulnerable.”
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