[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 130 (Wednesday, July 31, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S5209]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             CLIMATE CHANGE

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, on climate, I am pleased to share that 
the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works did something 
amazing and groundbreaking yesterday. It passed the first ever climate 
title in a transportation reauthorization bill.
  Thanks to the Senate Democrats on the committee and to particularly 
Ranking Member Carper's hard work, the highway bill actually includes 
$10 billion that will be dedicated to climate-focused programs and 
policies in order to reduce emissions and improve the resiliency of our 
transportation infrastructure to climate change and natural disasters. 
It includes funds for States to reduce carbon emissions, support for 
electric and alternative-fuel vehicles, reductions in emissions from 
ports and roadways, and investments in climate-resistant 
infrastructure.
  Less than a year ago, I said, in moving forward, the Democrats would 
demand that climate change be addressed in any infrastructure bill. 
This bill, with its $10 billion investment in climate, is a product of 
that demand. This will be the first time serious money has been 
included in an infrastructure package to fight climate change, but it 
certainly will not be the last.
  The clock is ticking when it comes to climate change. We need to make 
progress whenever we can and as quickly as we can. If the Republican 
leader will not bring legislation to the floor, the Democrats will be 
prepared to take the lead and fight for climate progress at every 
opportunity we get. That is precisely what this $10 billion climate 
investment in the highway bill represents. Again, I thank Senator 
Carper for his leadership, his skill, and his persistence in getting it 
done.
  Protecting our country and the world from the threat of climate 
change is no less than a moral obligation. When we return from the 
recess, the Democrats will continue to look for more opportunities to 
make progress on climate change.

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