Breaking News: Congress Makes Climate History

Moments ago, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the nation’s most historic climate legislation to date – the Inflation Reduction Act. This is history in the making! This legislation now goes to President Biden’s desk for signature. 

The IRA represents over a decade of advocacy by diverse groups and communities across the country calling for climate action. It makes significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and will jump start American green sector manufacturing and the jobs that come with it, while providing tens of billions of dollars for environmental and energy equity. 

Join us in saying thank you to U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján, and U.S. Representatives Melanie Stansbury and Teresa Leger Fernández for tenaciously centering climate action in the federal debate, and championing robust climate action with their colleagues. Call their offices today and thank them for passing the Inflation Reduction act.

Today’s vote is a critical step, with more work to be done. The IRA, as passed, also holds several problematic provisions that could lead to increased oil and gas leasing or fossil fuel investments which will disproportionately impact communities of color. We call on Congress to take the next step by ensuring a just transition away from fossil fuels, and protecting Indigenous communities and communities of color along the Gulf and Alaskan coasts from new fossil fuel development.

This historic moment also serves as a call to action for states to build on federal momentum and double down on climate solutions and the transition away from fossil fuels. The Lujan Grisham Administration has made significant strides to address the climate crisis through administrative, legislative, and rulemaking actions. We look to the state legislature to take the next step through economy-wide emission reductions and standards as soon as possible. We will keep you informed on our efforts around state climate solutions in the coming days.