Bipartisan Senate climate caucus grows by six members

The Senate’s bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus is already growing with the addition of six new members announced on Wednesday.

Sens. Lisa MurkowskiLisa Ann Murkowski Emboldened Trump takes aim at GOP foes The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - DC prepares for Saturday of festivals & Jan. 6 demonstration Republican leaders misjudged Jan. 6 committee MORE (R-Alaska), Jeanne ShaheenCynthia (Jeanne) Jeanne Shaheen Senate lawmakers let frustration show with Blinken We have a plan that prioritizes Afghanistan's women — we're just not using it Scott Brown's wife files to run for Congress MORE (D-N.H.), Mitt RomneyWillard (Mitt) Mitt Romney Five questions and answers about the debt ceiling fight Warren, Daines introduce bill honoring 13 killed in Kabul attack Overnight On The Money — Presented by Wells Fargo — GOP senator: It's 'foolish' to buy Treasury bonds MORE (R-Utah), Angus KingAngus King Senate backers of new voting rights bill push for swift passage Stacey Abrams backs Senate Democrats' voting rights compromise NY Democrat tests positive for COVID-19 in latest House breakthrough case MORE (I-Maine), Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin Graham Senate parliamentarian nixes Democrats' immigration plan The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by National Industries for the Blind - Tight security for Capitol rally; Biden agenda slows Trump offers sympathy for those charged with Jan. 6 offenses MORE (R-S.C.), and Michael BennetMichael Farrand Bennet Build Back Better Act must include funding to restore forests, make communities resilient and create jobs Interior reverses Trump, moves BLM headquarters back to DC Conservation group says it will only endorse Democrats who support .5T spending plan MORE (D-Colo.) will join the caucus formed by Sens. Christopher CoonsChris Andrew Coons Biden threatens more sanctions on Ethiopia, Eritrea over Tigray conflict Senate Democrats to Garland: 'It's time to end the federal death penalty' Hillicon Valley: Cryptocurrency amendment blocked in Senate | Dems press Facebook over suspension of researchers' accounts | Thousands push back against Apple plan to scan US iPhones for child sexual abuse images MORE (D-Del.) and Mike BraunMichael Braun Republicans unveil bill to ban federal funding of critical race theory Earmarks, the swamp's favorite tool, return to Washington Senate in talks to quickly pass infrastructure bill MORE (R-Ind.) last month.

“I believe climate change is real. I also believe that we as Americans have the ability to come up with climate change solutions that can benefit our economy and our way of life,” Graham said in a statement. “The United States has long been a leader in innovation. Addressing climate change is an opportunity to put our knowledge and can-do spirit to work to protect the environment for our benefit today and for future generations.”

The group said members want to craft “legislation that will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions using market-based approaches that are durable, equitable, and supportive of the American economy.”

Even as consensus grows among political leaders on the realities of climate change, Coons and Braun said they hope to remove divisiveness from what remains a controversial issue in Congress.

“Our caucus seeks to take the politics out of this important issue. Instead, members will commit to an honest dialogue, through which we can develop solutions that solidify American environmental leadership, promote American workers, and make meaningful progress on protecting our environment,” the duo wrote in an op-ed in The Hill.

The eight-member group has already had its first meeting, joining CEOs on Tuesday to discuss federal climate policy. They are also slated to make an appearance on "CBS This Morning" on Thursday.

A companion caucus, the House Climate Solutions Caucus, is led by Reps. Ted DeutchTheodore (Ted) Eliot Deutch New podcast pairs lawmakers with entertainment figures House Ethics panel reviewing Rep. Malinowski's stock trades Senate Intel chair vows 'tough but necessary questions' on Afghanistan collapse MORE (D-Fla.) and Francis RooneyLaurence (Francis) Francis Rooney GOP leader taking proxy voting fight to Supreme Court Pricing carbon can help solve the infrastructure funding dilemma Allies of GOP leader vow to oust Liz Cheney MORE (R-Fla.).