Congressional Democrats from the party’s centrist and left wings blasted comments by White House climate adviser Gina McCarthy
Gina McCarthyThe Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Mastercard - Dems hit the gas on Biden agenda The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Charter Communications - Tornado deaths high; Chris Wallace shocker Overnight Energy & Environment — White House announces new climate office MORE suggesting the White House was willing to remove climate measures from its infrastructure plan.
In an interview with Politico published Tuesday, McCarthy said that “while every piece like a clean electricity standard may not end [up] in the final version” of an infrastructure package, “we know that it is necessary, we know that the utilities want it, we are going to fight like crazy to make sure that it's in there. And then we're going to be open to a range of other investment strategies.”
Sen. Martin Heinrich
Martin Trevor HeinrichDefense bill creates new office to study UFOs This Thanksgiving, skip the political food fights and talk UFOs instead Degrees not debt will grow the economy MORE (D-N.M.) tweeted in response that a package “that goes light on climate and clean energy should not count on every Democratic vote.”
An infrastructure package that goes light on climate and clean energy should not count on every Democratic vote. https://t.co/ghOzFj5iqm
— Martin Heinrich (@MartinHeinrich) June 9, 2021
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez10 Democrats who could run in 2024 if Biden doesn't Sixteen Hispanic House Democrats ask EPA for tougher methane rule Citizenship before partisanship: Is Manchin the ideal candidate for 2024? MORE (D-N.Y.), who has been one of the highest-profile congressional backers of the Green New Deal and other ambitious climate policies, responded to Heinrich with a simple, “Yep.”
"[Senate Minority Leader] Mitch McConnell
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellBiden, lawmakers mourn Harry Reid Harry Reid, political pugilist and longtime Senate majority leader, dies Mitch McConnell should win 2021's 'Politician of the Year' MORE and the Koch brothers are not worth setting the planet on fire for. I know some Dems may disagree with me, but that’s my unpopular opinion of the day," she added.
Mitch McConnell and the Koch brothers are not worth setting the planet on fire for.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) June 9, 2021
I know some Dems may disagree with me, but that’s my unpopular opinion of the day
Sen. Michael Bennet
Michael Farrand BennetSenate Democrats press for info on nursing home boosters The Memo: Failure on big bill would spark cascade of trouble for Biden No. 2 Senate Democrat 'stunned' by Manchin's stance on child tax credit MORE (D-Colo.) also co-signed Heinrich’s tweet, saying, “I agree wholeheartedly with my friend.”
Colorado and New Mexico share a watershed. I agree wholeheartedly with my friend @MartinHeinrich. https://t.co/EwFhQClEDm
— Michael Bennet (@SenatorBennet) June 9, 2021
Sen. Brian Schatz
Brian Emanuel SchatzBiden, lawmakers mourn Harry Reid Biden is delivering the fastest economic recovery in history. Why hasn't anyone noticed? Congress should reject H.R. 1619's dangerous anywhere, any place casino precedent MORE (D-Hawaii), meanwhile, tweeted that the content of the package was not within the White House’s purview to begin with.
Just a gentle, friendly reminder that the executive branch doesn’t write the bills. https://t.co/bjpbtdATlv
— Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) June 9, 2021
Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.), an ally of Ocasio-Cortez, tweeted that the climate provisions of the bill are “literally a matter of life or death,” adding, “Our plan on climate needs to be built to sustain our planet, not the fossil fuel industry.”
This is literally a matter of life or death.
— Jamaal Bowman (@JamaalBowmanNY) June 9, 2021
Our plan on climate needs to be built to sustain our planet, not the fossil fuel industry. https://t.co/5Xfq43LHYl
McCarthy herself tweeted that "we need to get this done" in reference to the climate provisions, adding, "That’s why — and let me quote this [Politico] article — 'the White House [is] fighting to keep every piece' of the American Jobs Plan and deliver 'what is necessary to reach its climate target.'"
When @POTUS thinks climate, he thinks jobs.
— Gina McCarthy (@ginamccarthy46) June 9, 2021
That’s why - and let me quote this article - “the White House [is] fighting to keep every piece” of the American Jobs Plan and deliver “what is necessary to reach its climate target”
We need to get this done. https://t.co/fOjDXxKXkt
McCarthy’s comments came the same day the White House announced an end to infrastructure negotiations with 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 (R-W.Va.).
The White House has characterized climate and energy provisions in the package as a major stumbling block in talks with the West Virginia Republican. In a statement Friday, 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 specifically said Capito’s counteroffers have not met 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’s “objectives to grow the economy, tackle the climate crisis, and create new jobs.”
