NEW POLL: Majority of Voters in Rep. Axne’s District Want Congress to Make Bold Investments in Climate, Pass Full Build Back Better Act

Washington, D.C. — Sixty-three percent of voters in Iowa’s Third Congressional district want Congress to make bold investments to fight the climate crisis, according to new polling from Data For Progress and Climate Power. Iowans are demanding their representatives in Congress pass the full Build Back Better agenda — which includes the bipartisan infrastructure bill and budget reconciliation —  after living through increasingly devastating extreme weather that has ravaged their communities and the economy. Meanwhile, Iowans know that climate investments will cut energy costs, create jobs, and reduce pollution.

Iowans are living on the front lines of the climate crisis — this summer alone, severe droughts and toxic algae threatened people’s health and livelihoods across the state. Cities across the state broke century-old high temperature records with record-highs forecasted to continue into the fall. Dangerous extreme heat is leading to sky-rocketing energy prices, putting further strain on families, particularly those in low-income communities. Iowans know that the climate crisis is putting their futures and communities at risk. Recent data from the Yale Program on Climate Communication shows 56% of voters in IA-03 are worried about how the climate crisis is hurting the country now and even more (70%) worry about how the climate crisis will hurt future generations.

Iowans understand that we need to take bold action, which is why a majority of voters in the Third Congressional district support more funding and tax credits for clean energy production and implementing limits on climate emissions. Iowa is a national leader in the wind energy sector, producing the highest percentage of electricity produced by wind in the country. Nearly 29,000 Iowans work in the clean energy industry and the additional investments in the Build Back Better plan would accelerate job growth in this booming sector, putting more Iowans to work while reducing fossil fuel emission rates.

The politics around climate have changed in Iowa, but also across the nation. Voters are demanding Congress to meet this moment by passing the full Build Back Better agenda, with investments in clean energy jobs and cutting fossil fuel emissions. Americans from every corner of the country are living with the consequences of climate inaction as historic wildfires, hurricanes, drought, and extreme weather ravages their communities and hobbles the economy. 

Topline results from the IA-03 district polling can be found here. 

Here are some key takeaways from the poll:

• 63% of IA-03 registered voters believe it’s important for Congress to make additional investments along with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal that address climate change and extreme weather, create clean energy jobs, and reduce pollution.
• 62% of IA-03 registered voters support the full $3.5 trillion Build Back Better plan that would invest in addressing climate change and supporting families.
• 52% of IA-03 registered voters said they would be less likely to vote for a candidate who opposes the $3.5 trillion Build Back Better plan.
• A majority of voters in each of the eight districts believe it is important for Congress to make additional investments to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal that address climate change and reduce pollution.
• A majority of voters in each of the eight districts believe the $3.5 trillion funding for the Build Back Better plan should be increased or kept the same.