Comprised of exactly half Democrats and half Republicans, the Climate Solutions Caucus has brought together legislators in the U.S. House of Representatives who want to seek policies that can combat climate change by looking at its impacts, causes and challenges.
As of Tuesday, Congressman Steve Knight (R-Palmdale) became the 50th member of the caucus, which was formed in February 2016 by Congressman Carlos Curbelo (R-Florida) and Congressman Ted Deutch (D-Florida).
“Climate change is a growing issue in our international community,” Knight said in a statement. “I am happy to join this bipartisan caucus to protect our environment and security.”
Knight looks forward to working toward “common sense” climate change legislation with the other caucus members, he said.
“Constituents of California’s 25th district are proud of our vast valleys and natural resources, so I am honored to represent their concerns on this caucus,” Knight said.
Crossing party lines with the caucus allows its members to put “petty politics aside,” co-chair Curbelo said.
“We have a responsibility to our constituents and future generations to present a united front to combat anti-climate policies and to have a productive, fact-based dialogue about market-oriented solutions, investments and innovations that could mitigate the effects of climate change and make our nation more resilient,” Curbelo said in a statement.
The collective support from the 50 caucus members is “unprecedented and inspiring,” caucus co-chair Deutch said.
“From coastal Virginia to the farmlands of Nebraska, worsening climate change effects are already having dramatic impacts on regions and communities across the country,” Deutch said in a statement. “Now that 50 members have signed their name to this bipartisan climate banner, I look forward to translating our shared concerns into actions.”
