Requiring an Increase in Black and Brown Political Representation in Congress
The climate revolution is in full swing, with Black and brown leaders taking the helm in the 117th Congress. Under the leadership of President Joe Biden and the new Senate, the passage of bills such as the Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act and Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act could offer direct benefits to Indigenous peoples whose ancestral lands are at risk of being sold to extractive industries.
The 116th Congress, although the most diverse ever, made significant strides on climate change, but the 117th Congress, with its leaders of colour, has taken these efforts to new heights. The House passed numerous bills during the 116th Congress addressing climate change and environmental justice, but the Republican-controlled Senate did not.
In February 2020, Rep. Donald McEachin and Chair Raúl Grijalva introduced the Environmental Justice for All Act. Rep. McEachin stated that significant strides were made in the U.S. House of Representatives to champion a sustainable future for all last year.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and now Vice President Kamala Harris introduced the Climate Equity Act in August 2020. Senator Harris, alongside Rep. Jahana Hayes, led the charge for the Clean School Bus Act in 2019, which aimed to address greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector and reduce air pollution in communities of color.
The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) is a key organization that evaluates and highlights environmental leadership in Congress. However, specific members of Congress of colour who stand out as environmental leaders, according to the LCV, aren't explicitly mentioned in the current documents. To identify such leaders, consulting the latest LCV National Environmental Scorecard directly on their website would be advisable.
President Biden has promised to continue centering justice and equity throughout the legislation passed in Congress. People's lives and culture are on the line, and it is up to elected officials to take action. The climate revolution is in motion, and the 117th Congress is at the forefront, with Black and brown leaders leading the charge.
- The 117th Congress, under the leadership of leaders of color, is taking environmental efforts to new heights, with the passage of bills like the Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act and Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act offering direct benefits to Indigenous peoples.
- The House passed numerous bills during the 116th Congress addressing climate change and environmental justice, but these efforts were hindered by a Republican-controlled Senate.
- Rep. Donald McEachin and Chair Raúl Grijalva introduced the Environmental Justice for All Act in February 2020, marking significant strides towards a sustainable future for all.
- Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and now Vice President Kamala Harris introduced the Climate Equity Act in August 2020, focusing on addressing greenhouse gas emissions and reducing air pollution in communities of color.
- The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) is a key organization that evaluates and highlights environmental leadership in Congress, but specific members of color who stand out as environmental leaders aren't explicitly mentioned in the current documents.
- President Biden has promised to continue centering justice and equity throughout the legislation passed in Congress, recognizing that people's lives and culture are on the line, and it is up to elected officials to take action.
- The climate revolution is in motion, and the 117th Congress, with Black and brown leaders leading the charge, is at the forefront, advocating for both environmental science and policy-and-legislation that prioritize climate-change mitigation and environmental justice.
- To identify such leaders, consulting the latest LCV National Environmental Scorecard directly on their website would be advisable, providing insights into the environmental efforts of members of Congress of color.
