Klobuchar on Green New Deal: ‘I see it as aspirational’

Sen. Amy KlobucharAmy Jean KlobucharThe Hill's 12:30 Report: Trump digs in on Hurricane Dorian projection CNN climate town hall finishes last in viewers among cable news broadcasts Texas Poll: Biden leads 2020 Democrats by 6 points MORE (D-Minn.) said Tuesday evening that she views the recently proposed "Green New Deal" as “aspirational,” but was less committal about specific legislative proposals.

“I see it as aspirational, I see it as a jump-start. So I would vote yes, but I would also, if it got down to the nitty-gritty of an actual legislation as opposed to, ‘oh, here are some goals we have,’ that would be different for me,” the Democratic presidential candidate said during an interview with Fox News's Bret Baier.

“I am for a jump-start of the discussion and a framework as Sen. [Ed] Markey [D-Mass.] has described,” she added.

Markey and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-CortezAlexandria Ocasio-CortezDemocrat Raul Ruiz challenged by Republican with the same name in California race Scaramucci calls Trump a 'full-blown demagogue' Ocasio-Cortez rips Steve King after he shares video drinking from toilet-fountain hybrid at border MORE (D-N.Y.) introduced companion resolutions on the Green New Deal last week. The nonbinding measures have a goal of creating millions of “good, high-wage jobs” by working toward net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellPompeo pressed on possible Senate run by Kansas media Progressive group targets McConnell with new ad on guns Military school aided by McConnell among those losing funds to Trump wall MORE (R-Ky.) announced Tuesday that the Senate would hold a vote on Green New Deal legislation, an effort to put undeclared Democrats on the record about the proposal from the party's progressive wing.

Several Democratic senators who have announced White House bids have already backed the idea of a Green New Deal, including Sens. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth Ann WarrenThe Hill's Campaign Report: North Carolina special election poses test for GOP ahead of 2020 Buttigieg's first TV ad: 'We need real solutions, not more polarization' Where the presidential race stands: Biden's strange advantage MORE (Mass.), Cory BookerCory Anthony BookerCNN climate town hall finishes last in viewers among cable news broadcasts Overnight Energy: 2020 Democrats roll out climate plans ahead of CNN forum | Trump blasts CNN for 'ignoring' facts | Officials roll back Obama-era lightbulb rules | Dem contenders split over nuclear energy CNN correspondent: We could do a climate town hall every day and it wouldn't be enough MORE (N.J.), Kamala HarrisKamala Devi HarrisThe Hill's Campaign Report: North Carolina special election poses test for GOP ahead of 2020 Where the presidential race stands: Biden's strange advantage California wildfire burns 1,400 acres in a day MORE (Calif.) and Kirsten GillibrandKirsten GillibrandMarianne Williamson under fire over controversial health remarks Yang says he would not run as a third-party candidate Pavlich: Candidates pushing the gun 'buyback' lie MORE (N.Y.).

“For us to do nothing and go backwards is wrong. So I view this as a framework for discussion,” Klobuchar said Tuesday on Fox. “We just need to start as a country seeing it as aspiration to do better than we’re doing now.” 

While many of the Democratic candidates who have announced presidential bids so far appear to be angling their appeal to the party’s progressive wing, Klobuchar is seeking a more center-left approach that leverages on her “Minnesota nice” reputation as a contrast to President TrumpDonald John TrumpPompeo pressed on possible Senate run by Kansas media The Hill's 12:30 Report: Trump digs in on Hurricane Dorian projection Trump's mental decline is perfectly clear for those with eyes to see and ears to hear MORE.