Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse
Sheldon WhitehouseTo save America's democracy, Democrats need to start acting like Republicans On The Money — Presented by Citi — Schumer signals delay for Biden plan NAACP head to push senators, White House for action on voting rights MORE (D-R.I.) on Monday expressed concern about the possibility of future climate legislation, particularly flagging issues about climate in infrastructure negotiations.
In a tweet thread, the senator said, “I’m now officially very anxious about climate legislation. I’ll admit I’m sensitive from the Obama climate abandonment, but I sense trouble.”
He added that “climate has fallen out of the infrastructure discussion, as it took its bipartisanship detour” and said he doesn’t “see the preparatory work for a close Senate climate vote taking place in the administration.”
A spokesperson for the senator declined to elaborate, while a spokesperson for the White House disputed this characterization.
The Rhode Island Democrat alleged that corporate America is “completely AWOL if not worse” on climate in Congress and cited bickering between groups.
His comments come as bipartisan negotiations continue. Following meetings between President Biden
Joe BidenBiden, lawmakers mourn Harry Reid 29 percent of GOP support efforts to charge accused Jan. 6 rioters: poll Congress must meet the moment to hold Big Pharma accountable MORE and Republican negotiator Sen. Shelley Moore Capito
Shelley Wellons Moore CapitoHarry, Meghan push family leave with annual holiday card Ocasio-Cortez: Manchin rationale for opposing Biden's bill 'a farce' Trump demands undermine unity of GOP leaders MORE (W.Va.) last week, White House press secretary Jen Psaki
Jen PsakiBiden says if medical team advises it, he'll issue domestic travel vaccine requirement Fauci on lack of tests during holiday season: 'We've got to do better' Fauci says he was 'stunned' by boos from Trump supporters over booster revelation MORE released a statement saying the senator’s proposal did not go far enough on climate.
On Monday, Psaki named electric vehicles as one area where Biden hopes to accomplish major investments.
Whitehouse's comments also come as progressives seek to push Biden to rethink his bipartisan strategy.
His thread also appeared to strike a different tone from just a few days prior, when he expressed optimism that lawmakers would make progress on carbon pricing.
Last year, lawmakers were able to achieve a major piece of climate legislation after reaching a bipartisan deal to phase out the use of planet-warming greenhouse gases called hydrofluorocarbons.
