Today, U.S. Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (D-N.Y.) reintroduced the Green New Deal. House Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) issued the following statement:

"The Green New Deal is political environmentalism at its worst. It's a partisan sideshow that aims to scare Americans into believing radical policies are the only environmental solutions. Extreme, job-killing legislation is a hallmark of Democrat policymaking, even those that are done under the guise of climate action. I reject the premise that a healthy environment and a strong economy are mutually exclusive. Don't just take my word for it; look at the host of environmental legislation House Republicans have rolled out this week. These are bills that span committee jurisdictions and party lines to improve our forest health, agricultural production, water quality, energy security and much more. I believe we have an obligation to leave this world better than we found it, and that's why Republicans are taking thoughtful, scientific, decisive action on environmental policies. I hope to see even more of my Democrat colleagues join us in these efforts."

Background

House Natural Resources Committee Republican members have introduced a variety of environmental policy in the past week, including the Trillion Trees Act, the Building U.S. Infrastructure through Limited Delays and Efficient Reviews (BUILDER) Act and the American Critical Mineral Independence Act.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is also hosting a virtual climate summit this week, highlighting Republican priorities in the environmental space.