Senate Republican Infrastructure ‘Plan’ Fails the Test. It Would Increase Pollution, Do Nothing to Create Clean Energy Jobs
Washington, D.C. – After more than a month, Senate Republicans have failed to follow up on their inadequate infrastructure “plan.” It fails to meet a three-part test – climate, clean energy, and jobs – that any infrastructure investment plan should pass. In addition, Republicans insist on making working people and the middle class – not huge corporations and the wealthiest Americans – pay to upgrade our dangerously outdated and failing infrastructure. Their approach is fundamentally unfair and unacceptable.
In response to the Republicans’ lack of a serious plan, Climate Power executive director Lori Lodes issued the following statement:
“The Senate Republican ‘plan’ fails to meet the moment and would do nothing to solve the myriad crises we face. In fact, it would make the climate crisis worse. Instead of creating millions of clean energy, union jobs, this proposal would actually increase pollution and do nothing to build the clean energy economy our country needs. Climate action means jobs, and overwhelming, bipartisan majorities of voters support passing the American Jobs Plan and its big, bold investments in clean energy and infrastructure. The test is simple. We need jobs, clean energy, and bold action on climate. The Republican ‘plan’ fails the test.
“It’s time to pass the American Jobs Plan, which aces the test and enjoys overwhelming bipartisan support among voters.”
In contrast to what Senate Republicans have put forward, the American Jobs Plan would create millions of good-paying union jobs, including in the auto industry and advanced manufacturing. Earlier this week, environmental and labor advocacy organizations sent a letter to President Biden calling for electric vehicle manufacturing incentives to remain a key component of any infrastructure spending bill, arguing that these investments are critical to the future of domestic manufacturing.
Groups signing the letter include the BlueGreen Alliance, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the League of Conservation Voters, Sierra Club, Environmental Defense Fund, the Center for American Progress, and the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Swing State and Battleground Polling Finds Overwhelming Support for Clean Energy and Climate Investments
New polling released last week by the League of Conservation Voters and Data for Progress found overwhelming bipartisan support across the country for the investments the American Jobs Plan would make in climate, clean energy, good-paying union jobs and justice. Across 11 swing Congressional districts and in the swing Senate states of Arizona, Georgia, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Nevada, North Carolina, and Wisconsin, the survey found:
- 78% of voters support the government making investments to create clean energy jobs.
- 73% of voters want Congress to take action to address climate change.
- 71% of voters support the American Jobs Plan.
