The Definitive Earth Day List of 2022 “CLIMATE ELECTION” Candidates
The little understood “Midterm Elections” are, in reality, a referendum about many specific issues of enormous importance to The United States — Voting Rights, Reproductive Rights, Health Care Costs, Police Reform, Guns, Equal Pay, and even Marijuana Justice Reform, and many more.
But as we focus on Earth Day and our environment, let’s focus on . . .
“The CLIMATE ELECTION of 2022”
In other words,
- “WHO do I vote for if I care deeply about addressing the climate emergency?”
- “WHO do I vote for if I want stronger limits on greenhouse gases, a phase out of fossil fuels, up to $12,500 credits to buy an electric car, an expansion of electricity infrastructure, help for all American families to make their homes more energy efficient, the addition of millions of high quality renewable energy jobs, etc?”
Here’s the definitive list (embedded within a little civics lesson).
The Definitive List of “Climate Candidates” for The 2022 “Climate Election”
US HOUSE “Climate Candidates”:
ONLY DEMOCRATS and EVERY DEMOCRAT
Not kidding.
No matter how much Republican candidates may say they are for fighting climate change or enacting legislation to address the climate emergency there is only ONE CONGRESSPERSON, out of 435, who has the ability to BRING UP such legislation — “The Speaker of The House”.
Democrat Nancy Pelosi (or any other Democrat who may replace her as “Speaker of The House” in 2023) WILL bring up Climate Action legislation. Republican Kevin McCarthy (or Donald Trump) will NOT bring up Climate Action legislation.
And the ONLY way to get a Democratic “Speaker of The House” is to elect at least 218 Democrats in “The 2022 Midterm Elections”. That majority of 218 can, and will, choose the Speaker.
Current Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi has ALREADY brought up significant Climate Action legislation.
In 2019 Pelosi brought up “The Climate Action Now Act” which passed The House of Representatives with EVERY ONE of the 235 Democrats voting for it.
Only 3 Republicans voted for “The Climate Action Now Act”.
In 2021 Speaker Pelosi also brought up the “Build Back Better” bill with historic climate action provisions, which passed The House of Representatives in 2021 with EVERY ONE of the 222 Democrats voting for it.
ZERO Republicans voted for “Build Back Better”.
Until likely Republican “Speakers of The House”, Congressman Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) or former President Donald Trump pledge that THEY will bring up significant legislation like Speaker Pelosi has pledged, should they be chosen Speaker, it is a virtual civics guarantee that NO significant climate legislation would be passed in 2023 or 2024 if Republicans “take back The House”.
**Yes, it is legal and quite possible for Mr. Trump to be chosen to be Speaker if 218 or more Republicans are elected in The 2022 Midterms)
***BOTTOM LINE: If at least 218 of the 222 current Democratic Congresspersons are re-elected CLIMATE CHANGE LEGISLATION WILL PASS. IF just 5 of these 222 current Democrats lose and are replaced with Republicans, either Kevin McCarthy or Donald Trump will be in TOTAL control of The US House of Representatives and their agenda and CLIMATE CHANGE LEGISLATION WILL NOT PASS in 2023 or 2024.
US SENATE “Climate Candidates”:
ONLY DEMOCRATS*
*No matter how much Republican candidates may say they are for fighting climate change or enacting legislation to address the climate emergency there is only ONE SENATOR, out of 100, who has the ability to BRING UP such legislation in The US Senate — “The Senate Majority Leader”.
For example, in 2019 when Nancy Pelosi and The House brought up and passed “The Climate Action Now Act” and sent it to The US Senate . . . it died. Then Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to bring it up even though EVERY Democratic Senator has co-sponsored the bill and were ready to vote for it, and pass it.
Democrat Chuck Schumer has ALREADY brought up the “Build Back Better” bill with historic climate action provisions, which passed The House of Representatives in 2021. 48 of the 50 Democratic Senators voted for it. ZERO Republicans voted for it. “JUST. 2. More” (plus Kamala Harris’ vote) WILL pass these historic climate provisions in 2023.
Until likely Republican “Majority Leader”, Senator Mitch McConnell (R — KY) pledge that they will bring up significant legislation like Senator Schumer has pledged, should they be chosen Speaker, it is a virtual civics guarantee that NO significant climate legislation would be passed in 2023 or 2024 if Republicans elect 1 more Republican Senator and “take back The Senate”.
**BOTTOM LINE: If the current 14 Democratic Senators who are up for re-election are re-elected and “JUST. 2. MORE” are elected in the 21 seats currently held by Republicans, CLIMATE CHANGE LEGISLATION WILL PASS. IF just 1 of the current 50 seats held by Democrats lose and is replaced by a Republican, Mitch McConnell will, again, be in TOTAL control of The US Senate and CLIMATE CHANGE LEGISLATION WILL NOT PASS in 2023 or 2024.
